Former Northern Ireland secretary says Troubles inquests will be postponed until new law comes into force – Irish Times

Troubles-related inquests have been postponed by state agencies “without a break” until May 1, when they are due to be called off, according to a former Northern Ireland chief executive.

New legislation, the Northern Ireland Disputes (Succession and Settlement) Act, provides that inquests that do not reach a verdict by that date will be adjourned.

In its place, a new fact-finding body will be established, and those who cooperate with the investigation will be granted conditional immunity from prosecution.

Labour’s Peter Hain told the PA news agency: “We have heard authoritatively that inquests into important estates have been deliberately delayed to expire on May 1, as required by law.”

He asked Minister for Northern Ireland Jonathan Michael Caine in the House of Lords: “In relation to the ongoing heritage inquiry in Northern Ireland, is the Minister extremely disturbed and indeed embarrassed by the fact that state institutions appear to be acting illegally?”Shame Are we openly approaching May 1, when the due process that established such stores in the UK will no longer apply in Northern Ireland thanks to legacy legislation?

“In one case, a Ministry of Defense official told an inquest: ‘There is only one person available to assist with inquests in Northern Ireland.’

“And in another instance, the legal representative of the PSNI [Police Service of Northern Ireland] He acknowledged that more resources would be committed and further progress would be made, but said in the words: “What’s the point?”

“Isn’t this a shameful way to treat victims of upheaval who have already suffered so much?

“And that the relevant state agencies and agencies produce the necessary files in a timely manner, even though the relevant state agencies are directed to do so by the active coroner acting with the full authority of the chief female judge. This continues to be a miserable failure.

“Why on earth does the Minister think that an institution established outside the justice system by the Legacy Act would be better off if led by a retired Chief Justice, no matter how prominent?

“Or, as many suspect, will those denied a proper autopsy be forced to undergo a very poor procedure on the cheap?”

Independent Crossbench Peer Nuala O’Lone, Northern Ireland’s first police ombudsman, added: “What is currently happening in Northern Ireland is outrageous and is causing enormous distress to victims.”

Their comments came as the House of Lords debated changes to the Windsor Framework, which emerged as a result of an agreement between the UK government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to restore the devolved government in Northern Ireland and Stormont. .

The deal, secured by DUP leader Geoffrey Donaldson, will reduce check and paperwork requirements for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Jonathan Michael Caine did not respond to Peter Hain’s claims in his speech, but said he would write to his colleagues regarding unanswered questions. – Pennsylvania