Troubles Legacy Reform: Swann condemns Benn’s parliamentary snub

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, and the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, holding the joint legacy Framework between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has accused Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP of showing “contempt for the democratic accountability process” by today announcing a major new UK-Irish framework to address the legacy of the Troubles at a press conference rather than in Parliament.

The framework, unveiled alongside Tánaiste Simon Harris TD at Hillsborough Castle today, Friday 19 September 2025, aims to deliver truth and closure for victims’ families while introducing protections for veterans.

Mr Swann, in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, expressed his dismay, stating:

“Once again, the Secretary of State has used a press conference in Northern Ireland to make a significant announcement on legacy, rather than in the House of Commons where he can be held to account and questioned by elected Members of Parliament.

“I see this as nothing but contempt for the democratic accountability process. It is also notable, and now looks to be deliberate, that he waited until the start of the Conference Recess, when Parliament was not sitting.”

He highlighted that this is not the first instance of such conduct, noting:

“This is not the first time this has happened. I had previously raised the matter with the Leader of the House and was assured that updates would be brought to MPs first.”

In July, Mr Swann had questioned then-Leader of the House Lucy Powell MP:

“Has the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland given the Leader of the House notification that he intends to make a statement to the House next Monday on how legacy matters in Northern Ireland will proceed? If he has, can she give this House an assurance that it will be made in this place, and not at a press conference in Belfast?”

Ms Powell had responded:

“I can absolutely assure the hon. Member that the Secretary of State takes seriously his obligation makes statements on these kind of matters to this House, and to this House first. He will bring forward those statements as he progresses that dialogue to get these issues right over the coming weeks.”

Reflecting on the latest announcement, Mr Swann remarked:

“It’s incredibly disappointing that the Secretary of State has not brought these statements, as he progresses, to the House where he can face scrutiny from Northern Ireland MPs and those from across the UK.”

Below are the main components of the announced UK-Irish Troubles legacy framework, as outlined by the Governments:

UK Government commitments:

•  Repeal and Replace Legacy Act: The controversial Legacy Act, including its undeliverable immunity scheme for terrorists, will be repealed, addressing widespread opposition and restoring trust in the process.

•  Reform of ICRIR: The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) will undergo fundamental reforms to enhance independence, governance, and powers, with a new conflict of interest policy. It will be renamed the Legacy Commission.

•  Resumption of Inquests: A small number of inquests halted by the Legacy Act on 1 May 2024 will resume, with others subject to independent assessment by the Solicitor General. No new inquests will be announced, with the Legacy Commission as the primary investigative route.

•  Veteran Protections: Six new rights and safeguards for Northern Ireland veterans engaging with legacy processes:

•  Right to Stay at Home: Witnesses cannot be

forced to travel to Northern Ireland to give evidence.

•  Protection from Repeated Investigations: The Legacy Commission will avoid duplicating prior investigative work or requiring unnecessary testimony.

•  Protection in Old Age: The Commission will consider witnesses’ health and wellbeing when determining the appropriateness of giving evidence.

•  Right to Seek Anonymity: Veterans can request anonymity when providing information.

•  Protection from Cold Calling: Veterans will be contacted through proper Ministry of Defence protocols.

•  Right for Voice to Be Heard: A statutory advisory group will include service background voices, supported by an independent MoD advisor with operational experience.

•  Support for Families: The framework aims to provide answers for over 1,100 families, including more than 200 Armed Forces families, whose investigations were stopped by the Legacy Act.

Irish Government commitments:

•  Legislative Cooperation: New legislation will ensure maximum cooperation from Irish authorities with the Legacy Commission, aiding families, including those of service personnel killed by terrorism.

•  New Legacy Unit: An Garda Síochána will establish a dedicated unit to investigate unresolved Troubles-related incidents in Ireland.

•  Funding Support: For the first time, Ireland will provide funding to support legacy mechanisms.

Joint initiatives:

•  New Legislation: Both governments will introduce legislation based on the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, establishing a cross-jurisdictional Independent Commission for Information Recovery (ICIR) to offer families additional truth-recovery avenues.

•  Engagement with Victims: Prior to the announcement, Mr Benn and Mr Harris met with the Victims and Survivors Forum and representatives from the Pat Finucane Centre, Relatives for Justice, SEFF, and WAVE.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn defended the framework, stating:

“As Secretary of State I have been determined to help those families, who lost loved ones in the Troubles, including relatives of the families of British service people who did not come home, to find the answers they have long been seeking.

“The previous government’s flawed, undeliverable and widely opposed Legacy Act has caused great pain and anguish to many people in Northern Ireland.

“I believe that this framework, underpinned by new co-operation from both our governments, represents the best way forward to finally make progress on the unfinished business of the Good Friday agreement.

“And I hope that having read what we are proposing, the communities who were most affected by the Troubles will see this as a way forward in which they can have confidence, and will therefore give this plan a fair chance.”

Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns MP added:

“As a serving reservist and after 24 years in the Marines, I know that if something were to happen to me, I would want my family to have the truth as to what happened. The reality is mothers and fathers, and brothers and sisters of 100s of loved ones who gave their lives to protect their nation during the Troubles have had that quest for truth cut short by the last Government’s failed legislation.

“The Tories’ Legacy Act left those families, and our veterans in a legal wild west. We are replacing the Legacy Act to allow service families access to the truth and closure, while putting in place specific and real protections for our veterans and Armed Forces community, to ensure the process can never again be used as a punishment. We will ensure the rights of those who served their nation so honourably will be protected.”

Lt Gen Sir Nick Pope, Chair of Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities, welcomed the veteran safeguards:

“Addressing the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland continues to be a deeply challenging and complex area. As the Confederation of Service Charities, Cobseo welcomes the development of the safeguards that have been put in place to offer protection to those within the armed forces community who are affected by legacy issues.

“Relevant charities in the armed forces sector stand by and are ready to support any veteran or family member who require support or assistance.”

Despite the framework’s aim to deliver justice and closure, Mr Swann’s criticism underscores a broader concern about democratic accountability, casting a shadow over the announcement and highlighting the need for transparent parliamentary scrutiny in addressing the sensitive legacy of the Troubles.