King’s Speech

Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard (UUP)]

My Lords, I welcome the opportunity to have a few minutes in this debate on the humble Address.

I want to deal with a couple of issues around Northern Ireland. The first, mentioned in the Address, is the Northern Ireland Democratic Scrutiny Committee and the increasing of the number of days in which it can implement or take a decision on an issue from five to 10. It is one of the most ineffective committees I would have ever thought possible, and I am not sure that an increase in the time in which a decision can be taken from five to 10 days will be hugely effective, but at the same time I welcome it.

The other issue is the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. We have heard a lot from this current Government indicating that the last Bill did not have any support. I have news for the Government: this Bill does not have any further support. In fact it has even less, if that is possible or practical. We have heard much about amnesties. The Labour Government wanted to provide amnesties for terrorists back in 2001, but that was blocked. They had given letters of comfort to many terrorists, and that has progressed through the system unknown—they did not even bring it to this House or the other House at all.

I call on this Government to show a bit of backbone, particularly in relation to the Republic of Ireland. Instead of being dragged by the nose through the courts by the Irish Government, which they are allowing them to do, they need to stand up to them for once. These are people who have hidden the terrorists of Northern Ireland and murdered our kith and kin and indeed some of their own people—Irish citizens. They claim to be doing this in the name of Ireland but they have murdered their own citizens, let alone our friends and neighbours, and they have been protected by the Irish people at times and the Irish Government. That has to stop, and this Government must stand up to the Irish Government.

My third issue is something that I am pleased is not in the Bill: any change that might have come about in the minimum age of criminal responsibility. It currently sits at 10 but I was concerned that there may have been plans to change that, so I really am pleased that that is not happening.

My fourth issue—people will say, “What has that got to do with this?”—is that this Government provide significant financial support to the Scottish Football Association. I think anyone who has seen them was disgusted by the scenes in Glasgow on Saturday afternoon of people being attacked and football players being attacked by supporters who did not even let the game finish between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, along with the disturbances outside that left two police officers in a critical condition. That cannot be allowed to continue in our communities, particularly in the name of sport. There is now a significant test for the Scottish Football Association. Will it stand up to the big clubs? Will it stand up against these lawbreakers and thugs and those who have no respect for law and regulations, or will it just cave in with a mild sanction or possibly nothing at all?