Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Adjournment: European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism and Northern Ireland Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP (Belfast East, Democratic Unionist Party)

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20:56

Fleur Anderson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office) (Putney, Labour)

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It is a pleasure to respond to this important debate this evening on the European Remembrance Day for the victims of terrorism and Northern Ireland. I congratulate the member from Belfast East on securing this debate and speaking so eloquently and powerfully on what is, for so many people, a painful and difficult subject matter. As the right honourable member describes, acts of terror had a devastating and unimaginable impact on the individuals, families, and the communities affected. Indeed, that violence has been brought to our very doorstep and we stand in solemn remembrance of the members of this House taken from us by acts of terrorism while representing this.

Most recently, as the member mentioned, they include Joe Cox, brutally murdered in 2016, and said David Amis in 2021. Both whilst serving their constituents. I knew them both, as he did, and miss them, and I feel their loss very personally. Those who have sadly been lost to terrorism are remembered by their families, their loved ones, and by a nation that stands still and importantly stands together when these tragedies occur. As my honourable friend has said, acts of terrorism had a pronounced effect on communities in Northern Ireland for over 3000 people being killed by terrorists during the course of the troubles, and behind every individual murder of countless family members and others whose lives are changed forever by unthinkable loss and heartbreaking circumstances.

I have listened to many of those harrowing stories personally. Recent research reminds us that as many as 30% of people have conflict -related trauma and that this is being passed through generations as well and we must never forget that. Thankfully, Northern Ireland is a place of relative peace and stability, but the threat from terrorism remains with the current threat assessed as substantial. And I would like to pay tribute to the PS and I and the services that continue to work tirelessly to keep us safe.

I had the privilege of attending the awards last week in Belfast to celebrate and honour bravery of some exceptional officers who put their lives on the line for us every day. In Northern Ireland, many days acknowledge the pain and suffering caused by the troubles and reflect on what more we can do, and sadly, memorials and remembrance of commemoration can be challenging and even divisive. That is why this government, in seeking to address the legacy of the troubles, is committed to bringing forth a memorialisation strategy to support inclusive structures and initiatives to help all in Northern Ireland including future generations to reflect on those lost and we will continue to work to support those civil society groups that are working tirelessly to promote reconciliation.

The right honourable member mentioned SEF, and there is wave, and those who came here in Westminster. As many other subjective portraits and silent testimony exhibitions which is in the National portrait Gallery, and I

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recommend visiting. I thank the gentleman for securing this debate and I thank the securing this debate and I thank the Minister for giving way and I would like to make the house aware that as part of the Northern Ireland affairs part of the Northern Ireland affairs committee, I met with victims from all sides last week but I especially want to highlight the incredible want to highlight the incredible work that they do to support victims of terrorism. With the Minister agree with me that organisations like these are crucial for like these are crucial for

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like these are crucial for Outstayed the agree, and I'm very glad they've been mentioned this evening. But NHS resources are vital such as the regional trauma network I visited with Mr Nesbitt as well for the moving onto the legacy act, acknowledging and addressing the suffering of victims of violence was an important aim for the Belfast good Friday agreement, but this is a task that I agree remains incomplete. The government takes his responsibility to victims and survivors of the troubles extremely seriously. Which is why we've been working with victims and survivors and all interested parties to correct the mistakes of the last government to put in place measures that will provide answers, accountability and acknowledgement for families who have waited too long already.

In December this active state Northern Ireland later draft remedial order to correct several of the human rights deficiencies in the legacy act, including removing the bitterly opposed conditional immunity scheme which would have granted immunity from prosecution for those who carried out the most appalling terrorist crimes. And the secretary of state will be bringing forward primary legislation that will reform and strengthen the independent commission reconciliation and information recovery. On the police ombudsman, my honourable friend refers to the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

And the government was pleased to see the basement recently returned to work following an extended period of absence. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on legal proceedings, but for families who are waiting to receive the ombudsman's report, I understand the concern and frustration in delays in publication. Many of those families have already encountered too much delay in seeking information and accountability. And note the ombudsman's office is doing all it can to publish reports and I'm afraid I don't have time because I want to respond to the issues raised by the right honourable member.

The honourable member Belfast East has rightly highlighted a number of troubles related cases have cross- border dimension, including Kingsmill murders, which are an appalling example of the pain and suffering inflicted on civilians during the troubles. It's right to acknowledge that the implication of truly holistic legacy mechanisms that can provide families across the UK and Ireland with as much information as possible about the circumstances of their particular case will require the cooperation of both UK and Irish governments to facilitate the disclosure of information held by authorities in both jurisdictions.

This government considers the Irish government to be an essential partner in the process of seeking a way forward on legacy issues that is human rights compliant and can command public confidence across communities. And in the Omagh Bombing enquiry, last month's comparative hearings have been a painful reminder of the impact of cowardly terrorist actions on communities and families. Victims don't need hearings or inquiries or commemoratives days to note this. They live with this every day. This active state has received political assurances from the Irish government regarding its full cooperation with the UK enquiry.

This is important and should be welcomed, and I know that the Irish government is currently working at pace to determine how this is facilitated in practice through a memorandum of understanding, but his comments in the chamber today will not have gone unnoticed. While the details of those arrangements are ultimately a matter for the enquiry, which is really independent of government, enquiry with the honourable member that they should provide the greatest level of cooperation from Irish authorities and the government's forward to seeing these details in due course, and in the meantime our focus remains on ensuring that the UK enquiry has been established is able to successfully fulfil its terms of reference.

So I close by remembering, by remembering all of those who have been killed by cowardly terrorist acts and pay tribute to everyone he was carrying on. Not getting over what has happened, but getting on and working around the gap of people or of their own life that they had before, carrying on display grief that seems to engulf, with getting up every day when it's not getting easier, with remembering people who should be here and are not. Not getting on not giving up on getting answers and justice for their relatives, for their families and friends.

In the memory full who died, we will keep taking action against terrorism and for peace and yes, and for justice.

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We will remember. The question is that this House do now adjourn. As many as are of that opinion say, "Aye." Of the contrary, "No." The ayes have it.

21:11

Oral questions: Justice

21:11

Fleur Anderson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office) (Putney, Labour)

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