Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant says giving the UK’s Attorney General a new role in deciding whether serious prosecutions related to the Northern Ireland Troubles should go ahead will provide “greater clarity and consistency”.
The comments were made ahead of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill returning to the House of Commons on Monday, with MPs set to vote on proposed changes to the legislation.
The Bill was first introduced to Parliament last year following agreement on a joint framework with the Irish government.
Last week, the Government proposed 156 amendments to the Bill, including one giving the UK Attorney General the final say on whether Troubles-related prosecutions should go ahead.
The Bill overhauls the previous Conservative government’s Legacy Act, which aimed to draw a line under the conflict and legal cases which have followed.
Sir Chris told the BBC Today programme that it was “really important” to get answers for families to outstanding Troubles cases.
He said: “I’ve met so many families in Northern Ireland, and for that matter, families in Great Britain who lost loved ones in that time and simply don’t know the ins and outs of what happened to their loved one. In some cases, they’re not even being able to get death certificates.
“It’s one of the things we’re putting right in the Bill.”
Some political parties and victims’ groups have criticised the amendment relating to the Attorney General.
Sir Chris said: “We are introducing a role for the Attorney General, who incidentally is also the Advocate General for Northern Ireland, firstly because it was one of the key recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights in the House of Lords and House of Commons.
“Secondly, because there are some instances where the event might have happened in Northern Ireland, that’s the vast majority, of course, of Troubles-related cases, but some happened in Great Britain, in particular in England.
“You might think of the M62 bombing or the Guildford pub bombing.
“It’s one of the things we’re doing in the Bill is we’re making sure that the prosecuting authorities in both countries, both in England and Wales, and in Northern Ireland, work together to produce joint guidance on how to deal with these issues.
“But then the final decision, once those two bodies have been consulted, will lie with the Attorney General.
“I just think that provides greater clarity and consistency across the whole of the piece.”
Greater focus needs to be put on building confidence in processes being established by the Government’s new legislation, Joe McVey, Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, has said.
Members of the Victims and Survivors Forum in Northern Ireland will be at Westminster on Monday.
Mr McVey said: “Victims and survivors have waited a long time for meaningful progress in addressing the past.
“Independence and impartiality are essential to building confidence in the processes being established, and people need to know that their different experiences and needs will be recognised.
“Behind every investigation, inquest or information recovery process are people and families whose lives have been changed by the Troubles/conflict.
“Their voices and experiences must remain central to the decisions being made.”
The commissioner said the forum members attending Monday’s debate represent “different backgrounds and lived experiences”, including some who lost loved ones or were injured during the Troubles.
He added: “These decisions are about people, not just processes.
“What Parliament decides will have a real impact on victims and survivors and their families, potentially for generations to come.
“That is why we are at Westminster today. We want parliamentarians to hear directly from victims and survivors, understand their different experiences and consider what the legislation will mean for them.
“The Bill still has further parliamentary stages ahead, and if the provisions within it are to help victims and their families, we need to ensure that it delivers for those seeking answers, acknowledgement, accountability or information.
“Victims and survivors must remain at the heart of those debates and amendments.”
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