Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 May 2026
Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the independent review of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, dated 11 May 2026.
Summary
Secretary of State Hilary Benn writes to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to share findings from an independent review of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), commissioned in December 2025. The Peter May Review identified significant problems including structural weaknesses in governing legislation, financial management and governance failures, and conflict among senior leaders damaging organisational morale. The NIO commits to a joint action plan with ICRIR and notes the Troubles Bill will reform governance structures.
Key findings
- Peter May identified real strengths in ICRIR's work securing Requesting Individuals and staff commitment, but found significant problems from structural weaknesses in governing legislation, poor financial management and governance, and damaging conflict among senior leaders
- The review found unacceptable behaviour, weak internal communications, and a conflict between executive and non-executive responsibilities within the current board structure
- The Secretary of State expressed dismay at findings, met individually with each Commissioner, and stressed that internal friction is a management and leadership issue, not inevitable structural consequence
- A joint ICRIR-NIO oversight committee has been established with additional NIO sponsorship resources, and officials are working on a joint action plan to address recommendations urgently
- The Troubles Bill will reform ICRIR governance structures, create a statutory Oversight Board at arm's length from day-to-day management, and place duty on the Secretary of State to take advice on Commission appointments
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Peter May, Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, Northern Ireland Office
Notable line
“… what has been identified is unacceptable and falls below the standards expected. It is for the ICRIR Board urgently to take whatever steps are necessary and appropriate to address this.”
Key Quotes
“I was deeply concerned to read the findings in Peter May's review, and I have made my dismay clear to each ICRIR Commissioner.”
“… it is clear that ICRIR is facing significant problems resulting from a combination of the governing legislation which he feels creates structural weaknesses …”
“I do not accept that the internal friction identified in the review is an inevitable consequence of the current structure or, indeed, of the new one.”
“I am particularly conscious of those ICRIR staff who spoke to him in confidence and expressed fears that their honesty could result in negative consequences for them within the Commission.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗