Kevin Winters

Labour’s manifesto previously included a commitment to “repeal and replace” the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, which is currently the subject of a rare inter-state case brought by Ireland against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The government said it would begin this process as it set out its first legislative programme in the King’s speech yesterday.

Belfast human rights lawyer Kevin Winters, of KRW LAW, told Irish Legal News: “I want to commend the new government in moving immediately to dismantle the draconian Legacy Act.

“It was a repulsive piece of legislation which caused untold distress and anxiety to so many conflict-bereaved families.

“It’s truly a massive day for justice and truth recovery in this jurisdiction.”

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland deputy director, said: “Today is an important step toward overturning an atrocious attack on rights.

“The new government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Troubles Act is welcome. Repealing and replacing the Troubles Act is necessary to right a historic wrong.”

A briefing note circulated by the UK government alongside the speech confirmed that it would repeal the conditional immunity scheme — which was found by the Northern Ireland High Court to breach ECHR rights and the Windsor Framework — and allow civil claims and inquests to resume.

It also said that the government would 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).