News Story

British Army veterans could face prosecution for their conduct during the Troubles in Northern Ireland after MPs voted in favour of removing protections.

As it currently stands, the Legacy Act offers immunity from prosecution to anyone accused of crimes during the Troubles in Northern Ireland if they provide information to a truth recovery body.

However, the High Court in Belfast ruled parts of the Act were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights in 2024.

The then-Conservative government began the process of appealing against the decision, but this was dropped by Labour ministers after the 2024 general election.

Speaking in the Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the 2023 Legacy Act “fundamentally failed” because it was incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations.

Following his comments, MPs voted on a Government remedial order to update the legislation.

That vote passed by 373 to 106, majority 267, on Wednesday.

As a result, the bar on new civil claims over cases from the Troubles will also be removed.

The remedial order will now go to the House of Lords where it must be approved by peers before the law is changed.