UK Begins Repeal of Troubles Legacy Act

The UK government, led by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, has initiated the repeal of the controversial Legacy Act, which previously barred court actions related to the Troubles and offered conditional amnesty for suspected criminals. Benn criticized the former Conservative government's approach as 'wrong' and acknowledged that the Act violated human rights obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Tánaiste Micheál Martin welcomed this move, emphasizing the importance of reforms that instill confidence among victims and survivors. The government plans to lay a remedial order to address human rights deficiencies in the Act, which, if passed, would allow civil proceedings and inquests into Troubles-related deaths to resume. Benn expressed commitment to ongoing discussions with the Irish government to ensure a collaborative path forward. Labour had pledged to repeal the Act if elected, and the current government is acting on that promise.