Legacy Bill 'must be scrapped’ after ‘damning’ report – Derry MP

Derry MP Colum Eastwood MP has said a ‘damning’ report on the British government’s legacy bill should result in the plans being scrapped.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 27th Oct 2022, 14:20 BST
Updated 27th Oct 2022, 14:20 BST
Footwear of victims of the Troubles arranged to spell ‘NO’ at a protest against the proposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill held at Guildhall Square earlier this year. Photo: George Sweeney. DER222GS – 015Footwear of victims of the Troubles arranged to spell ‘NO’ at a protest against the proposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill held at Guildhall Square earlier this year. Photo: George Sweeney. DER222GS – 015
Footwear of victims of the Troubles arranged to spell ‘NO’ at a protest against the proposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill held at Guildhall Square earlier this year. Photo: George Sweeney. DER222GS – 015

He was speaking after a Westminster committee said the legislation was unlikely to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Mr Eastwood said new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should drop the legislation, which has been opposed by all parties and victims’ groups in the North.

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The Joint Committee on Human Rights undertook legislative scrutiny of the NI Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill and concluded that ‘it is unlikely to comply with human rights law’.

Colum Eastwood MP.Colum Eastwood MP.
Colum Eastwood MP.

The Bill, if adopted, would establish a new Independent Commission of Reconciliation and Information Recovery with responsibility for reviewing all outstanding Troubles-related cases concerning deaths and certain other types of harmful conduct and granting immunity from prosecution for individuals who meet certain conditions. Meanwhile, all Troubles-related criminal investigations, criminal prosecutions, inquests, civil claims, and police complaints will be subject to prohibitions or restrictions.

The Committee said it could ‘see no justifiable reason for implementing such a measure that would only serve to block off avenues to justice while offering no alternatives’.

The Committee also found that the conditional immunity scheme was ‘in direct conflict with the duty to undertake effective investigations which are capable of identifying and punishing perpetrators’.

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Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Joanna Cherry KC MP said: “A delicate balance needs to be struck between enabling reconciliation while taking steps to ensure that those still dealing with the devastating consequences of past events can access justice and effective remedies.”

Mr Eastwood said: “This legislation is one of the few things that unites everyone in the North. Every political party, victim’s groups and the Irish government have been clear that these proposals cannot be allowed to proceed and now Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has urged the government to reconsider.

“Rishi Sunak has an opportunity to bin this legislation now, but if the Prime Minister turns down the chance to act in good faith we will continue fighting against this bill to ensure that every victim retains the right to pursue truth and justice. There can be no hiding place for those who carried out unspeakable acts during our troubled past.”