Contributions
1,346 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question. This remedial order is a clear signal of the Government’s commitment to legislation that can command support across Northern…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI do not accept the characterisation that the hon. Member puts before the House. The Government are not engaging in lawfare against veterans.17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationIf I may, I will correct what I think is the interpretation that the right hon. Member has put on what I had said. I made it clear a moment ago that had the Joint Committee on…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI do agree. Although the circumstances are unusual, the Government believe we have a compelling case, and the JCHR has agreed with the Government’s assessment.17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI would say two things to the right hon. Gentleman. First, I reject the suggestion that I or the Government have misappropriated a remedial order or misapplied section 10 of the…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationOn Monday night I met the families who had come over for the unveiling of the quilts. I would urge all Members who have not yet had a chance to go up to the Upper Waiting Hall and…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI have many meetings with Irish Ministers and discussions with the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach. My most recent meeting was with Helen McEntee, who has just taken over from Simon…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationAs the hon. Gentleman will be well aware, there is a long-standing tradition that the Government do not reveal the legal advice they receive. All Governments receive legal advice,…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationYes, it will be voted on in both Houses in the new year.17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationThere is the clearest distinction between the two groups of people that the hon. Member refers to, and I have made that clear from the Dispatch Box on a number of occasions. There…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationOnce again, I do not accept that the Government are acting on an unlawful basis. Given the right hon. and learned Gentleman’s distinguished legal credentials and experience, I say…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationAs I have indicated, I reject the suggestion that the Government are in any way engaging in lawfare against veterans, in the same way that I reject any suggestion that there are…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we have only to look at the figures to see that the prospect of any prosecution in any case is increasingly remote, because of the…17 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he says and for his support for what we are seeking to do in the remedial order. I acknowledge the responsibility that the Government…17 Dec 2025HANSARDIndependent Review under Schedule 6A Northern Ireland Act 1998: Government ResponseFollowing the Northern Ireland Assembly’s democratic consent motion on the trading arrangements under the Windsor framework, on 9 January 2025 I commissioned Lord Murphy of…16 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaI say to the hon. Gentleman that we have the commission, established by the last Government in the legacy Act, which has the capacity to investigate all cases that are referred to…09 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaI do agree with the hon. Member. From the contact that I have had with the security services since I took up this post, I know that the commitment, dedication, passion, ingenuity…09 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaShe shakes her head, but she is saying— [ Interruption. ] Well, the past and what happened or did not happen in Ireland is a matter for the Irish state to deal with, but I hope…09 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaIn the light of what the hon. Member has just said, I hope that she would welcome the commitments that the Irish Government have given—09 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaIndependence is indeed extremely important to building a sense of confidence on the part of families that their cases will be properly looked into. I note my hon. Friend’s point…09 Dec 2025