Hilary Benn

Hilary Benn

Labour — Leeds South

Speaking in the House of Commons on 17 December 2025

Debate

Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation

Contribution

As I have said to the House before, I will, of course, look carefully at all the amendments tabled when we come to debate the Bill in Committee and on Report. The test for prosecutions, as I indicated in answer to the previous question, is the same now, and will be the same in future, as it has been for the last 30, 50 or 70 years—those who have greater legal experience can tell the House how long that has been the case. It will not change, because it depends on the evidence. We are setting out in the Bill that to reinvestigate things the commission has to be of the view that it is essential to do so. That word “essential” is a very high bar.

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