MPs scrutinise amendments to Troubles legacy bill

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

MPs are continuing their scrutiny of government amendments to legislation addressing the unresolved legacy of the Northern Ireland conflict.

The Troubles legacy bill returned to the House of Commons on Monday and MPs continued their scrutiny of government amendments on Tuesday. The legislation is long-awaited and will have a wide-ranging social impact, particularly affecting victims' families and military veterans. For people like Patricia Burns, whose father was shot dead by a soldier, and David Crabbe, who served in the Ulster Defence Regiment during the Troubles, the debate is especially important.

The government published hundreds of amendments last week, including a requirement that the attorney general must provide consent for any serious prosecutions related to the Troubles under the new plan. The Northern Ireland secretary rejected claims that the planned changes amount to an 'amnesty' for former soldiers. MPs debated the bill for more than six hours on Monday evening as votes were held late into the night on the amendments.

Speaking in the Commons, Northern Ireland secretary Sir Chris Bryant said thousands of families impacted by the Troubles have had to wait 'far too long to get their answers'. He said the government could put matters right with 'a balanced set of amendments and a balanced bill'. However, News Letter reports that MPs raised concerns there will not be enough time to debate the legislation properly, as the government insisted the bill was the 'last chance to get it right'. If passed, the bill would then move to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

How it is being reported

• MPs warn bill won’t get proper scrutinyMPs have raised concerns that there will not be enough time to debate legislation on the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles, as the government insisted the Bill was the “last chance to get it right”.News Letter · 20 Oct, 06:40
• Victims and veterans keeping close watch on Troubles legacy bill debateMPs will continue their scrutiny of a series of government amendments to the Troubles legacy bill on Tuesday.BBC Northern Ireland · 20 Oct, 06:37

In this story: Patricia Burns · David Crabbe · Sir Chris Bryant · Northern Ireland · House of Commons · Ulster Defence Regiment

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