Hilary Benn

Hilary Benn

Labour — Leeds South

Speaking in the House of Commons on 19 November 2025

Debate

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Contribution

My hon. Friend is right—that is indeed the case. It was wrong to bring forward legislation to seek to give immunity to terrorists, which is what the last Government’s legacy Act did, and that is probably the principal reason why it had no support in Northern Ireland, including from victims and survivors. It is a fundamental principle that we believe in the rule of law and that it should apply to everyone. That is why the Government are acting, through the legislation and the remedial order, to finally lay that failed attempt at immunity to rest.

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