Meeting of the Parliament 28 June 2023
There are many views about the legislation in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom, but it is vitally important that a UK-wide approach is taken. Thousands of lives were lost during the troubles and thousands more were damaged due to the crushing impacts of the violence, and everybody wants to move on from that time. The Northern Ireland of today is nothing like the Northern Ireland of the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s. Quite why we would want to get involved in what is, really, an internal issue for the people of Northern Ireland is beyond me, and it would be wrong if this were simply another chance to pick a fight with the UK Government. The bill would play an important role in helping Northern Ireland to further consign the violence of the past to the history books.
The UK Government has addressed some of the concerns that were raised by the Lord Advocate, and it is clear that it is willing to continue to address outstanding concerns. When I questioned the cabinet secretary about the concerns, it transpired that there are no live troubles-related police investigations in Scotland and there do not appear to be any troubles-related prisoners in Scotland. It is therefore a largely theoretical question. There appears to be a slim chance of the commission’s work impinging on Scotland, but while there remains any chance, I believe that we should support the bill. Today, we will vote against the Scottish Government’s LCM.
15:31