Legacy Bill: Government defends reforms after Veterans Commissioner criticism

The Government said the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will strengthen a reformed legacy commission and add protections for veterans, after Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone warned the bill treats veterans "worse than terrorists".

The Government has defended its approach to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill after criticism from Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone. The bill would establish a reformed Legacy Commission and an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery with enhanced powers, and a government spokesperson said it will include protections for veterans. Mr Johnstone publicly said the proposal treats veterans "worse than terrorists." The exchange follows earlier changes to legacy arrangements made under the previous government. Key points: - A government spokesperson said the Troubles Bill will put in place a reformed legacy commission, new information recovery arrangements, and protections for veterans, and rejected proposals that would have granted blanket immunity to those who committed terrorist offences. - Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone said the bill leaves some veterans exposed to criminal investigation and described that outcome as treating them "worse than terrorists." - All UK police investigations into Troubles-related killings were halted in May 2024 under the previous government's Legacy Act, and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was established. - Labour's Bill, developed within a framework agreed with the Irish Government, aims to replace the earlier arrangements with a reformed commission and enhanced powers. Summary: The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions about how to address the Troubles' legacy, balancing victims' calls for answers with concerns raised by veterans and their representatives. Undetermined at this time.