"Let's Not Use Victims and Veterans in Northern Ireland as Political Playthings" - Swann
South Antrim MP Robin Swann has issued a direct appeal to Frontbench colleagues in the House of Commons, warning against treating victims, survivors and veterans in Northern Ireland as political playthings during debates on the Northern Ireland Troubles legislation.
Speaking in Parliament during the consideration of the carry-over motion on the NI Troubles Bill, the Ulster Unionist MP highlighted the severe challenges faced by local victims’ groups, veterans and families trying to navigate a complex volume of proposed amendments within a compressed legislative timeframe.
Robin Swann MP said:
"Much of what we have heard from the Secretary of State was what we heard from the previous Secretary of State in regard to why we needed to see the remedial order rushed through. The remedial order went nowhere, but now we are compensating and bringing it into the legislation that we have been asked to consider next week.
On the number of amendments that have been laid before the House for this Bill, and the very short time that the Government have given to consider them, the South Antrim MP said:
"That applies not just to the legislators in this House but to the victims groups, the veterans not just of the United Kingdom but of Northern Ireland, and the small family groups, who will find it extremely difficult to work through that booklet of amendments to see how it applies to them, to their cause and to their loved ones, and how it supports them in their search for truth.
"I ask the Secretary of State to look at the timing of the Committee stage and also at what contribution Northern Ireland MPs will get to make in this House. I make a plea to those on the Government and Opposition Front Benches: let us not use victims and veterans in Northern Ireland as political playthings."
Highlighting a cross-party consensus on one of his amendments to the legislation, Mr Swann urged Ministers to adopt his Amendment 4, which would ensure Troubles-related sexual crimes are brought under the remit of the proposed Legacy Commission.
Robin Swann MP added:
"Can I ask him and the Government to look seriously at my amendment 4, which would bring sexual crime under the remit of the new commission? I know what the previous Secretary of State said, and what the Northern Ireland Office said, and it is often stated in here that the previous Government’s troubles Bill did not receive any support from the Northern Ireland parties. My amendment has support from every Northern Ireland MP who takes their seat in this House, as well as from Labour Members and Lib Dem Members, so I ask the Government to seriously consider it.
"When I met the Secretary of State to talk about this, he was very open and honest, and he said that the Government would consider non-Government amendments to make this Bill better. It has a long, long way to go before it could be acceptable to many in my community."
