Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he does want to block compensation payments to Gerry Adams after criticism of his decision to scrap Tory legislation preventing such claims.
The current Troubles Act introduced by the Tories blocks the former Sinn Fein president and up to 400 other Republicans from claiming compensation over their detention in prison in the 1970s for suspected involvement in terrorism.
But last year Sir Keir’s Government laid an order in Parliament reversing the block and abandoned an appeal against a Northern Ireland high court ruling that the Troubles Act breached human rights laws.
On Tuesday, 16 leading lawyers, former judges and ministers warned that the decision would “reopen the door to a wave of meritless litigation” relating to events dating back more than 50 years.
Challenged by Kemi Badenoch over the “shameful” decision to “write a cheque to compensate” Mr Adams, Sir Keir said he would go ahead with his manifesto commitment to repeal the Troubles Act which he said would have granted immunity to hundreds of terrorists and wasn’t supported by victims in Northern Ireland.
“The high court found it unlawful. We will put in place a better framework. We are working on a draft remittal order and we will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases claiming damages,” he told MPs.
It came after the Government had refused to say whether the Attorney General was involved in the decision to pave the way for Mr Adams to claim compensation.
Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, who represented the former Sinn Fein leader in a separate damages case, is facing questions over his role in the Government’s decision to repeal the Troubles legislation that would have blocked compensation pay-outs.
You can join the conversation in the comments section.
Copy link
twitter
facebook
whatsapp
email
