LOCKHART WELCOMES PLAN TO REPEAL LEGACY LEGISLATION

Carla Lockhart MP • July 19, 2024

The MP for Upper Bann, Carla Lockhart has welcomed plans brought forward by the new Labour Government to scrap the legacy legislation. 

The Legacy Act introduced a ban on inquests and civil actions related to incidents during the Troubles. It also sought to offer a conditional amnesty for people suspected of Troubles-related crimes in exchange for co-operating with a new information recovery body.


Speaking on the issue, Carla Lockhart said, “The repeal of the legacy legislation is something we will be working on with the Government. Scrapping of this legislation is welcome but the devil is very much in the detail and I look forward to the Secretary of State outlining the plans of the Government.”


“My colleagues and I will be strong voices for innocent victims who have, and will be impacted by the legacy legislation. The door to justice should never be closed. I will continue to stand up for those victims and keep pushing the UK Government and indeed the Irish Government to do more on the legacy issue. The new UK Prime Minister needs to press his counterpart in the Republic, Simon Harris to step up with regards the many allegations of state collusion with the PIRA, and the role this played in the death of many innocent victims. You only have to look at their refusal to hold a public inquiry into the Omagh Bomb to see that it’s words around legacy are commendable but its actions are hollow. 


“The Legacy Act has united victims groups in opposition to it. We must protect the right to justice, that is a key cornerstone of our rights as British citizens. Whilst the hope of justice does wane with time, that hope ought never to be extinguished. Giving amnesty to those who carried out some of the most brutal, heinous and bloody acts of terror is wrong and totally undermines that hope of justice for so many victims’ families.”


“Legacy has no support from any political party in Northern Ireland and I am very glad that the new Secretary of State recognises this, and is seeking to put things right. Coming from a border area, and representing a constituency so adversely affected by terrorist actions I am very aware of the hurt this legislation caused to victims of the terror campaign. Time will tell and we will examine any proposals and changes very closely but I certainly welcome the announcement in the King’s Speech.”


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