Ongoing legacy cases could be blocked

By Q Radio News

It’s understood the Secretary of State is seeking to explore ways of halting legacy cases currently before the courts. 

A UK Government spokesperson says there are many details of yesterday’s announcement that it wants to discuss with the Irish Government, Stormont parties and others.

Brandon Lewis outlined proposals to end future prosecutions for troubles related offences - that occurred here before the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. 

It’s understood the Secretary of State is seeking to explore ways of halting legacy cases currently before the courts. https://t.co/svhNPRbz8R

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 15, 2021

The PPS currently has eight active Troubles related cases working through the justice system and is considering prosecutions in another seven. 

It says there will be no change to how it exercises its statutory function in the absence of new legislation coming into force.

A UK Government spokesperson said:

"We have published proposals for discussion with the Irish Government, NI parties and others. There are many details that we want to consider with others as part of this process." 

And a PPS spokesperson said: “The PPS will carefully consider the detail of the statement delivered by the Secretary of State in the House of Commons today and the accompanying Policy paper from the Northern Ireland Office. In the absence of any new legislation coming into force, there will be no change to how we exercise our statutory functions. We will continue to take decisions on cases submitted to us by investigating agencies and, where decisions to prosecute have been taken, we will seek to bring those cases to trial.”

Speculation on the progress of current cases through the courts was sparked by the Secretary of State's address to parliament yesterday where he outlined plans for a statute-of-limitations on killings committed before 1998.

He said: 

"We know that the prospect of the end of criminal prosecutions will be difficult for some to accept, and this is not a position that we take lightly.

"But we have arrived at the view that this would be the best way to facilitate an effective information retrieval and provision process, and the best way to help Northern Ireland move further along the road to reconciliation.

"It is a painful recognition of the reality of where we are."

Bereaved families and victims' groups have been angered by the plans.

Mickey McKinney whose brother William was killed on Bloody Sunday - says the UK government is ignoring victims.

(The Secretary of State's plans have been met with anger across the board in Northern Ireland)