Oral QuestionNorthern Ireland Office

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the Supreme Court judgment in the Dillon case [2026] UKSC 15.

Tabled: 21 May 2026Answered: 3 June 2026

Asked by

Phil Brickell

LabourBolton West

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

Before answering, I pay tribute to Sir Desmond Rea who died recently. He played an important role in the peace process in Northern Ireland, particularly through the transformation of policing as the first chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I am sure the whole House will join me in sending condolences to his family. I welcome the clarity provided by the Supreme Court in the Dillon case, which has confirmed that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is capable of delivering human rights-compliant investigations and reaffirms the Government’s position on the interpretation and application of article 2 of the Windsor framework.