Hilary Benn

Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn yesterday held meetings with the South East Fermanagh Foundation and the Victims and Survivors Forum in Belfast.

The government has committed to consulting with victims, survivors and families on its approach to legacy issues.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 was widely opposed in Northern Ireland and subject to a rare inter-state case brought by Ireland against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The government has already begun to repeal the Act’s conditional immunity scheme — which was found by the Northern Ireland High Court to breach ECHR rights and the Windsor Framework — and said it will allow civil claims and inquests to resume.

But it has also said it will not “repeal the Act in its entirety without anything to replace it” and that it would “explore options” to strengthen the independence of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Speaking after his meetings yesterday, Mr Benn said: “I know that many victims, survivors and families felt ignored by the previous government’s approach to legacy. Indeed that is part of the reason why the Legacy Act was so widely opposed.

“In my meetings with the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation today, I reiterated that the views of victims and survivors will be central to this government’s approach to legacy.

“I am grateful to all those with whom I have spoken today, many of whom shared very personal stories about the loss of loved ones during the Troubles. I look forward to continuing discussions in the period ahead.”