Labour's Troubles Repeal Sparks Criticism from Conservatives and Victims of IRA Attacks

Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman has accused Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn of being responsible for the decision to repeal parts of the Troubles legislation, which may allow former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to claim compensation.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that Benn was responsible for scrapping sections of the Northern Ireland Troubles Act that previously barred Adams and roughly 400 other Republicans from seeking damages over their 1970s detention. Labour repealed the law last year after the Northern Ireland High Court ruled it breached human rights legislation.

"I'd stress that any decisions on the Legacy Act are taken by the Northern Ireland Secretary as the responsible department."

Critics have branded the decision short-sighted, with 16 peers warning on Tuesday that it may result in a surge in "meritless litigation." A Policy Exchange report prepared by former judges, lawyers, and ministers claimed the move could result in payouts to individuals lawfully detained for suspected terrorist activities.

"This was a shocking decision by the Labour Government. Repealing the legacy legislation could allow known terrorists to claim compensation and embroil the Government in endless costly litigation, while genuine victims may get nothing."

"In Starmer's Britain, you can be locked up for a stray tweet, but former terrorists and their apologists are suddenly showered with unexpected gold."

"It would be foolish in the extreme to revoke 46/47 and thereby give Adams et al a pathway to compensation which would destabilise reconciliation within the legacy."

"The last government's approach to legacy was almost universally opposed in Northern Ireland. "During the Legacy Act's passage through Parliament, that government belatedly agreed to an amendment on the custody orders, despite the original ruling having been made all the way back in 2020.

"Last year, that amendment was ruled by the Northern Ireland courts to be unlawful and therefore it needs to be repealed. “It should not be forgotten that the Legacy Act also included a scheme that allowed for immunity from prosecution, including for those who committed the most appalling terrorist crimes. "We are also repealing these unlawful provisions, and will be bringing forward new primary legislation to address the full range of legacy issues. “We must never forget that the vast majority of deaths and injuries during the Troubles were caused by acts of terrorism.”