N.Ireland parties welcome Labour repeal pledge for 'Troubles' law

Northern Ireland parties welcomed Wednesday a pledge by the new UK government to scrap a law granting conditional immunity to perpetrators of crimes during the "Troubles" era of sectarian violence.

The pledge was made during the King's Speech in Westminster which outlined the laws the new Labour government proposes to make over the next 12 months.

"In consultation with all parties, measures will be brought forward to begin the process of repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023," it said.

Opponents of the law said its essence is to protect British army and security force veterans who served in Northern Ireland, as well as paramilitaries on both sides of the conflict.

The law, introduced by the former Conservative government who said its aim was to draw a line under the Troubles, also halted coroners' inquests, civil cases and criminal prosecutions for crimes related to the conflict.

Relatives of those who lost their lives fiercely opposed it said it quashed hopes of justice for their loved ones.

Almost 40 inquests involving the deaths of 74 people during the conflict over British rule in Northern Ireland closed after the law came into force on May 1.

Gavin Robinson, leader of the largest pro-UK party the DUP, called the proposals a "decisive move to repeal this unconscionable legislation".

The law was "fundamentally flawed and morally repugnant" as it "extinguished hope for many innocent victims," he said.

An MP with the pro-Irish unity party Sinn Fein whose father was shot dead by pro-UK loyalist paramilitaries also hailed the pledge.

The "shameful law failed victims and survivors", said John Finucane.

Finucane said Sinn Fein, whose party's MPs do not take up their seats at the UK parliament in opposition to British sovereignty in Northern Ireland, will "engage with (Labour) on the full details of their approach in the days ahead".

As well as all Northern Irish parties, critics of the legislation included the Irish government, the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said he "welcome(s) the commitments that the incoming British government has given in relation to replacing the Legacy Act".

During the three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland more than 3,500 people were killed until a landmark peace deal in 1998.