Independent Expert’s Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment

Chris Bryant Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Bryant)]

Everybody in Northern Ireland has a right to live free from fear and intimidation. The continuing existence of paramilitary groups poses a direct threat to that right. While these groups may pose as protectors of their communities, they are largely engaged in criminality, including drug dealing, extortion and intimidation, blighting the very communities they perversely claim to protect. Their continued influence is a stain on our collective conscience and in direct opposition to our shared aim of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Northern Ireland for everyone.

This is why I am pleased to lay the independent expert Fleur Ravensbergen’s “Independent Report on Paramilitary Group Transition to Disbandment”, which identifies possible routes to end paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. The report was jointly commissioned with the Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration under the legislative framework of the Independent Reporting Commission. The independent expert was asked to carry out a short scoping exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment.

As provided for in the “Fresh Start” agreement, the UK Government are committed to ending paramilitarism once and for all. It was in this context that we appointed the independent expert. It is particularly relevant, given the two notable anniversaries this year: the 2006 St Andrews agreement and the establishment of the Police Service for Northern Ireland in 2001. The anniversaries exemplify how far Northern Ireland has come, but the persistence of armed groups in communities clearly shows that there is more that needs to be done. No one should live in fear or suffer harm at the hands of these groups.

I would like to thank Ms Ravensbergen for her extensive engagement and consideration of the issues as she carried out this exercise.

The report contains a number of recommendations, which I will take time to carefully consider and discuss with the Irish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, community and policing partners. The main recommendation, detailing a possible mechanism for transition of paramilitary groups, is clear that any process must be complementary to existing efforts and accompanied by a robust criminal justice response. It is evident from the report that the implementation of any process will face challenges and will need support from across the political community in Northern Ireland.

Ending paramilitarism once and for all is essential to improving the lives of people in communities across Northern Ireland where these groups still hold influence. The UK Government remain resolute that there is never any justification for violence or criminality. Together with a strong criminal justice response, those communities who are held back by the harms perpetrated by paramilitary groups must be prioritised, and we will continue to support the Northern Ireland Executive in their efforts in this space.

[HCWS371]