Tories to vote against carrying over Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

By Helen Corbett, Press Association Political Correspondent

The Tories will vote against carrying over the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in a show of their opposition to the proposed law.

The legislation would repeal and replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government, ending the immunity scheme brought in under the law that was ruled unlawful in the courts.

Labour’s Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.

MPs have already backed a remedial order which removed the measures in the previous Act providing conditional immunity from prosecutions for Troubles-era crimes in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body, as well as scrapping a bar on future legacy compensation cases.

The Tories will seek to block efforts on Monday to bring the proposed legislation into the next parliamentary session, which is due to begin after the King’s Speech on May 13th.

Labour’s huge majority in the Commons means it is unlikely they will stop the Bill being taken forward.

Keir Starmer has sought to ease concerns raised by armed forces and veterans communities that Labour’s Bill will leave those who served in Northern Ireland open to vexatious litigation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said last week that “additional protections and reassurances” for veterans would be added when the Bill returns to Parliament, while also insisting there is no such thing as “vexatious” prosecutions.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burghart said: “The Government must kill this Bill and end its hounding of our brave veterans.

“This Bill will reopen vexatious litigation against those who courageously served during the Troubles and laid the foundation for peace.

“The Conservatives have led the fight against this Bill. We have been unequivocally clear: we completely oppose this and will move immediately to reverse it if we return to Government.”

UK Labour said its proposed legislation was the only viable way to give victims and their families answers, and said that safeguards for veterans would be strengthened when the Bill returns and is scrutinised at committee stage.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Conservatives’ failed Legacy Act made undeliverable promises on immunity and has been repeatedly rejected by the courts. It created false expectations, legal uncertainty and delays for victims, survivors and veterans alike.

“We have worked closely with victims and families, as well as with our armed forces community, to ensure this legislation includes robust and meaningful safeguards that properly reflect the service and sacrifices of our veterans. And we will strengthen these further at committee stage.

“The Troubles Bill is the only viable way of delivering answers for victims and families, including the families of soldiers murdered by the IRA, while ensuring genuine safeguards for our veterans.”

Writing in the UK's Daily Mail, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour MPs had “a choice” to make.

“This Bill could open the door to vexatious claims against elderly veterans decades after service. It’s the last thing they or our court system needs,” she said.

“Hounding our veterans through the courts like criminals will make people think twice about joining our Armed Forces, just when we need to recruit more.”

She added: “If we’re going to secure yet another U-turn, we will need Labour MPs to examine their consciences.”