Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery

Lord Robathan Excerpts

Wednesday 21st May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Robathan (Con)]

My Lords, the Minister may know that Gerry Adams is suing the BBC for accusing him of being—I am not quite sure how to put to it—not necessarily on the side of the good. Can the Minister therefore help the BBC in its defence, particularly in the case of Jean McConville, dragged from her home in front of her young children and murdered by IRA gangs? Can she look at how much we can help the BBC against Gerry Adams, particularly with respect to what he was doing with the Jean McConville case?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord served for many years in the other place and will be very aware that I cannot comment on ongoing court proceedings, but he does raise a very important case—that of the McConville family. Every time such cases are raised, we need to remember the impact they have on the families concerned and all victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Three and a half thousand people lost their lives; families were for ever destroyed, and many people were hurt. There is a responsibility on all of us to make sure they get justice where they can and get to find their truth too.