Comment

UK legacy bill involves difficult but necessary choices on handling the past

The UK government believes it will enable faster delivery of better information to more victims and survivors

Paul Johnson, British Ambassador to Ireland: ‘Conditional immunity removes the possibility of a prosecution or punishment outcome only in cases where it is granted by the commission through a robust process’

On September 18, my government’s legislation on the Legacy of the Troubles came into force. This creates a new Independent Commission on Reconciliation and Information Recovery, which will be established next summer. This was the conclusion of 16 months of parliamentary scrutiny. But we know it’s not the end of the debate.

Our ministers accept this is an acutely difficult issue, touching as it does on some of the darkest moments in our shared history. ...