Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation

Debate between Stuart Anderson and Paul Kohler

Wednesday 21st January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Kohler]

The Government have a choice to make: whether to stand up for our international obligations. That is the right thing to do. At this time, of all times, surely we should stand up for our international obligations.

Our amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill seek to put clear statutory definitions in place to strengthen safeguards against disproportionate legal action, to provide a presumption of remote participation, to protect anonymity and to establish independent oversight of how those safeguards operate in practice. Our approach is about recognising service, context and the cumulative impact of decades of investigation, not about shielding wrongdoing.

The Liberal Democrats also recognise that reconciliation cannot be achieved by legal mechanisms alone.

[Stuart Anderson (South Shropshire) (Con)]

I have seen a pattern forming. I hope the hon. Member did not misquote when he said that the Liberal Democrats have more veterans in their parliamentary party than anyone else, when they have eight and we have 17. I see that only one of theirs is here today, whereas many of ours are here.

[Mr Kohler]

We have a greater percentage, I think the hon. Gentleman will find—[Interruption.] I did say that.

[Mr Kohler]

Listen to what I said.

[Stuart Anderson]

May I follow up on that point?

[Mr Kohler]

We need more gravity in the House than this. The grandstanding, the jocularity, the jokes—this is not the way to approach such a serious situation.