Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 September 2025

Correspondence with the Secretary of State, relating to an announcement about Government policy on the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland, dated 17 September 2025.

From: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Inquiry: The Government's new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland

Summary

Chair Tonia Antoniazzi writes to Secretary of State Hilary Benn expressing frustration at repeated delays in announcing a UK-Ireland government agreement on Northern Ireland legacy issues. Since April 2025, public statements have repeatedly suggested imminent progress, but nine months on no agreement has been reached. The Chair demands clarity on causes of delay, a concrete timeline, and assurance that victims and survivors are informed and included.

Key findings

April 2025 media reports suggested agreement 'within weeks'; May, June, July, and September saw further postponements and revised timelines.
Secretary of State cited the Dillon judicial review (hearing 14 October) as requiring clarity before announcement, and internal government discussions on veteran treatment as cause of further delay.
Chair emphasises delay is compounding distress for victims and survivors, undermining confidence in the process, and allowing misinformation to fill the void.
Committee requests: explanation of causes of delay; revised timeline for finalisation and announcement; confirmation of steps to keep victims and survivors informed and meaningfully included.

Tone

Critical

Topics

northern-irelandlegacy-issuesvictims-survivorsjudicial-reviewintergovernmental-relations

Key actors

Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Hilary Benn MP, Simon Harris TD, Martina Dillon, Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Notable line

“Each passing month without resolution compounds the distress felt by victims and survivors.”

Key Quotes

“… there is deep frustration and concern at the continued delay in reaching an agreement between the UK and Irish Governments on legacy issues – particularly in light …”
— Tonia Antoniazzi MP · Opening statement expressing committee concern

“"t he Dillon appeal is due to be heard in the middle of October. It is very important that the courts have as clear an idea as possible about the changes that we are going to make before they reach that …”
— Hilary Benn MP · Explaining reason for delay pending judicial review hearing

“They understand all too well what it means to wait, for truth, for justice and for accountability - and all too well what kind of misinformation can fill that void while they do so.”
— Tonia Antoniazzi MP · Describing impact of delay on victims and survivors

“There is a limit to how many times such suggestions can be made.”
— Tonia Antoniazzi MP · Expressing frustration at repeated delays after public statements of imminent progress

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗