TRUSTPOLITICS
Hilary Benn

Hilary Benn

Labour — Leeds South

Speaking in the House of Commons on 9 December 2025

Debate

Northern Ireland Troubles: Operation Kenova

Contribution

I do agree with the hon. Member. From the contact that I have had with the security services since I took up this post, I know that the commitment, dedication, passion, ingenuity and determination to protect people today is quite something to behold. Some judgments are complex—there is no doubt about that—but it is also important that we learn from the past and what did not go right. Anyone who looks at the final Kenova report and sees what it reveals about what went on in some cases will recognise the importance of learning from the past. That is why the legislation that Governments have passed since has been so important: that legislation recognised the complexity, but reached the conclusion that we have to have a legal framework that governs it, with independent oversight. We now have that, but that was not the case in the 1970s and the 1980s.
← Previous speaker
In this debate
Next speaker →
In this debate

More from Hilary Benn

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

View Hilary Benn's full report card →

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Hilary Benn's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Hilary Benn report card.