Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said the announcement by the British Secretary of State falls short of Labour manifesto commitment to ‘repeal and replace’ Legacy Act.

The North Belfast MP said:

“The Labour Party made a manifesto commitment to ‘repeal and replace’ the Legacy Act ‘by returning to the principles of the Stormont House Agreement’, this announcement falls far short of that.

“Instead, the British Secretary of State has focused on reforming the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) which has been rejected by victims and families and the political parties. 

“He intends to introduce a remedial order under the Human Rights Act which will enable all civil proceedings to resume and to introduce primary legislation to meaning inquests will be restored, starting with those almost completed.

“He said he will remove all the immunity provisions although these have already been disapplied by the Courts.

“Disappointingly he intends to appeal recent judgements in relation to the British Secretary of State’s ability to vet and redact family reports prior to their disclosure under national security.

“This is absolutely outrageous and disgraceful.

“It is essential in any democracy that judicial processes are free to carry out their duties independently, free from state interference.

“His main focus is on retaining and reforming the ICRIR in a vain bid to attract the support of families and victims rather than dealing with their genuine and well-rehearsed concerns.

“The British government should work with all families, the Irish government and the political parties on an agreed way forward for legacy by returning to the key principles and mechanisms agreed at Stormont House.”