Swann warns Government legacy plan undermines work to tackle VAWG

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has expressed serious concern that the Government’s approach to Troubles-related sexual offences is placing an unsustainable strain on the PSNI and failing victims of sexual offences.

During Northern Ireland Office Questions on 25 March, the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn MP, reiterated that the Investigation on Information Recovery (ICIR) will only examine sexual offences if they meet the specific threshold of causing death or seriously injured. For cases that do not meet this bar, the responsibility for investigation will remain with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Mr Swann has tabled an amendment to the Bill calling for Troubles-related sexual offences to be a standalone qualifying factor for legacy commission investigations. He argues that by failing to make these offences a core priority for the commission, the Government is offloading the burden onto a police service already nearing breaking point.

This follows evidence provided to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that same morning by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who warned that the force is "buckling" as it tries to manage "the unique challenges of policing a post-conflict society with wholly inadequate funding."

Mr Swann said:

"The Secretary of State’s response is deeply concerning. By failing to make Troubles-related sexual violence a standalone qualifying factor for the legacy commission, the Government is effectively washing its hands of these cases and offloading them onto the PSNI.

"We heard directly from the Chief Constable that he is 'significantly concerned' about the capacity to deal with cases involving 'life-changing harm'. It is unacceptable that resources meant for 'contemporary policing' to tackle violence against women and girls, domestic violence and hate crime are being diverted to plug gaps in legacy.

"The Government’s current stance is failing victims who have waited decades, and by forcing the PSNI to absorb these legacy cases without extra funding, the Government is directly undermining the police's ability to protect women and girls today.”

The Chief Constable confirmed the PSNI has circa 163 staff dedicated to legacy, a figure expected to rise to 200. He stated these posts are "funded from the money that comes for contemporary policing," including tackling violence against women and girls.