Meeting of the Parliament 28 June 2023
I thank Edward Mountain for his intervention. I know that, as a former soldier, he knows more than most the extent of the troubles and the horrors that they involved.
That is indeed the sentiment behind the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. It is about truth, reconciliation and closure for families who remain badly affected. It is modelled on the truth and reconciliation approach that has worked very successfully in post-apartheid South Africa, albeit under different circumstances. It is a sensible bill with a legitimate aim and, crucially, it takes a consistent approach across the United Kingdom.
That is why I find it concerning that the Scottish National Party Government is seeking to interfere on an issue that primarily, if not exclusively, affects Northern Ireland. There would be an outcry from the SNP if, for example, Stormont decided to deny consent to a bill that had been produced here at Holyrood that was about Scotland. Northern Ireland’s history is unique, and it should not be used for political purposes. It should certainly not be exploited to create any kind of constitutional grievance.