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Attorney General approval required for serious Troubles prosecutions under new government amendments
Overview
The UK government has tabled a series of amendments to its proposed Northern Ireland legacy legislation, requiring the Attorney General to consent to any serious Troubles-related prosecutions. The bill seeks to replace the previous Conservative government's 2023 Legacy Act and includes measures to safeguard former military personnel and police officers, establish a Legacy Commission, and provide information recovery mechanisms.
Key points
- The Attorney General must provide consent for all serious prosecutions related to the Troubles.
- New amendments aim to provide robust safeguards ensuring former soldiers and police officers are treated fairly.
- The legislation replaces the 2023 Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government.
- The bill establishes a Legacy Commission to investigate Troubles-related killings and a separate information recovery body.
- Amendments specify that the Commission and coroners must not regard the lawful conduct of Armed Forces members as equivalent to paramilitary terrorist acts.
- Measures have been added to prevent 'cold-calling' of veterans and to consider operational contexts and command orders.