Peers and IRA Bomb Victims Rage as PM set to pay damages to Gerry Adams

[Social Media]

 

The decision to repeal key sections of the Northern Ireland Troubles Act has sparked a backlash, with former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams poised to receive taxpayer-funded compensation. This move, part of Sir Keir Starmer’s human rights reforms, has drawn criticism from senior peers and IRA bomb victims alike.

 

 

Adams, who led Sinn Fein for decades, was detained in the 1970s on suspicion of terrorism. The current law, which blocks his claim for compensation, is set to be reversed under Starmer's plans. These changes come after a Northern Irish high court found the 2023 Northern Ireland Troubles Act incompatible with human rights laws, prompting the Government to revise its stance.

 

Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, defended the repeal, emphasizing the Government’s dedication to the Human Rights Act. However, this has not quelled the outcry from various quarters. A report by the think tank Policy Exchange, released on Tuesday night, documented objections from 16 notable peers, including former Labour security minister Lord West and ex-director of public prosecutions Lord MacDonald. They urged Labour to reconsider, warning that reopening such cases could hinder reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.

 

Lord Hope, a former deputy president of the Supreme Court, labeled the Government's actions as "wholly inappropriate," cautioning against Parliament surrendering its authority. Suzanne Dodd, whose father was killed in the 1983 IRA Harrods bombing, expressed her disbelief: “Considering the IRA victims have not received any compensation, how could Gerry Adams get compensation? My father was killed 41 years ago, and it is highly unacceptable to hear that.”

 

Adams has always denied IRA membership. His 1975 conviction for attempting to escape the Maze prison was quashed in 2020 by the Supreme Court, which ruled his detention was unlawful as his custody order was signed by a minister instead of the secretary of state. This decision paved the way for compensation claims, prompting the previous government to introduce an amendment to block these payouts, a move supported by Labour at the time.

 

The peers' report states, “Parliament was unusually united in reasoning that the Supreme Court’s judgment was mistaken and that it needed to be reversed to restore the Carltona principle.” However, Patrick Fitzsimmons, another former detainee, successfully challenged this legislation in the Northern Ireland high court on human rights grounds. With Labour in power since July, the party has opted not to appeal but to repeal the contested sections.

 

Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, who previously represented Adams in a damages claim, might have had a role in this decision. In 2023, Adams faced a damages claim from victims of IRA bombings in London and Manchester, which could add complexity to the current scenario.

 

Legal experts and policymakers have criticized the repeal. Richard Ekins, a law professor at the University of Oxford, and Sir Stephen Laws, a former first Parliamentary counsel, denounced the changes as "inexplicable and unjustifiable." Ekins warned of a flood of "meritless litigation" and potential misuse of public funds, a sentiment echoed by shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson, who called for scrutiny over the Government's decision.

 

The Northern Ireland Troubles Act, also known as the Legacy Act, was designed to offer conditional immunity for Troubles-era crimes, end soldier prosecutions, and halt related inquests and civil actions. Labour had pledged to repeal the Act in its manifesto, reflecting widespread opposition in Northern Ireland to the previous Government's approach.

 

A Government spokesman clarified, “During the Legacy Act’s passage, the last Government agreed to an amendment on the custody orders. Last year, this amendment was ruled unlawful by the Northern Ireland Courts, and therefore it needs to be repealed. We must never forget that the vast majority of deaths and injuries during the Troubles were caused by acts of terrorism.”

 

This controversial repeal highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the legacy of the Troubles and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-16

 

 

 

[Jumbo1968]

13 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The decision to repeal key sections of the Northern Ireland Troubles Act has sparked a backlash, with former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams poised to receive taxpayer-funded compensation. This move, part of Sir Keir Starmer’s human rights reforms, has drawn criticism from senior peers and IRA bomb victims alike.

 

 

Adams, who led Sinn Fein for decades, was detained in the 1970s on suspicion of terrorism. The current law, which blocks his claim for compensation, is set to be reversed under Starmer's plans. These changes come after a Northern Irish high court found the 2023 Northern Ireland Troubles Act incompatible with human rights laws, prompting the Government to revise its stance.

 

 

Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, defended the repeal, emphasizing the Government’s dedication to the Human Rights Act. However, this has not quelled the outcry from various quarters. A report by the think tank Policy Exchange, released on Tuesday night, documented objections from 16 notable peers, including former Labour security minister Lord West and ex-director of public prosecutions Lord MacDonald. They urged Labour to reconsider, warning that reopening such cases could hinder reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.

 

Lord Hope, a former deputy president of the Supreme Court, labeled the Government's actions as "wholly inappropriate," cautioning against Parliament surrendering its authority. Suzanne Dodd, whose father was killed in the 1983 IRA Harrods bombing, expressed her disbelief: “Considering the IRA victims have not received any compensation, how could Gerry Adams get compensation? My father was killed 41 years ago, and it is highly unacceptable to hear that.”

 

Adams has always denied IRA membership. His 1975 conviction for attempting to escape the Maze prison was quashed in 2020 by the Supreme Court, which ruled his detention was unlawful as his custody order was signed by a minister instead of the secretary of state. This decision paved the way for compensation claims, prompting the previous government to introduce an amendment to block these payouts, a move supported by Labour at the time.

 

The peers' report states, “Parliament was unusually united in reasoning that the Supreme Court’s judgment was mistaken and that it needed to be reversed to restore the Carltona principle.” However, Patrick Fitzsimmons, another former detainee, successfully challenged this legislation in the Northern Ireland high court on human rights grounds. With Labour in power since July, the party has opted not to appeal but to repeal the contested sections.

 

Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, who previously represented Adams in a damages claim, might have had a role in this decision. In 2023, Adams faced a damages claim from victims of IRA bombings in London and Manchester, which could add complexity to the current scenario.

 

Legal experts and policymakers have criticized the repeal. Richard Ekins, a law professor at the University of Oxford, and Sir Stephen Laws, a former first Parliamentary counsel, denounced the changes as "inexplicable and unjustifiable." Ekins warned of a flood of "meritless litigation" and potential misuse of public funds, a sentiment echoed by shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson, who called for scrutiny over the Government's decision.

 

The Northern Ireland Troubles Act, also known as the Legacy Act, was designed to offer conditional immunity for Troubles-era crimes, end soldier prosecutions, and halt related inquests and civil actions. Labour had pledged to repeal the Act in its manifesto, reflecting widespread opposition in Northern Ireland to the previous Government's approach.

 

A Government spokesman clarified, “During the Legacy Act’s passage, the last Government agreed to an amendment on the custody orders. Last year, this amendment was ruled unlawful by the Northern Ireland Courts, and therefore it needs to be repealed. We must never forget that the vast majority of deaths and injuries during the Troubles were caused by acts of terrorism.”

 

This controversial repeal highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the legacy of the Troubles and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-16

 

 

 

Wrong the PM and the government will oppose any compensation for Gerry Adam’s.

https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-says-govt-will-look-at-every-conceivable-way-to-stop-gerry-adams-payout-13289290

[Bkk Brian]

25 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Wrong the PM and the government will oppose any compensation for Gerry Adam’s.

https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-says-govt-will-look-at-every-conceivable-way-to-stop-gerry-adams-payout-13289290

What's wrong? From your link

 

A thinktank backed by 16 peers has criticised the government's plan to lift a ban on compensation for unlawful detention during the Troubles.

 

Seems to me the dear PM has to look at not going ahead as he said.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Wrong the PM and the government will oppose any compensation for Gerry Adam’s.

https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-says-govt-will-look-at-every-conceivable-way-to-stop-gerry-adams-payout-13289290

And from your link:

 

"The court found it unlawful. This is a serious point.

 

We will put in place a better framework.

 

"We're working on a draft, remedial order and replacement legislation, and we will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases claiming damages. And I say that on the record."

 

Starmer, understands the Government is not above the law and is clearly responding to a court ruling, as he must.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And from your link:

 

"The court found it unlawful. This is a serious point.

 

We will put in place a better framework.

 

"We're working on a draft, remedial order and replacement legislation, and we will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases claiming damages. And I say that on the record."

 

Starmer, understands the Government is not above the law and is clearly responding to a court ruling, as he must.

 

 

Just as well the 16 peers that criticised the government's plan to lift a ban on compensation for unlawful detention during the Troubles expressed their views eh