• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

PM says government will try to block payout

January 15, 2025
in Politics
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
0
PM says government will try to block payout
9
SHARES
19
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


EPA

Sir Keir Starmer spoke about Gerry Adams during Prime Minister’s Questions

The government will look at “every conceivable way” to prevent former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams from receiving compensation, the prime minister has said.

Sir Keir Starmer was speaking in the House of Commons after the Conservatives said it was “shameful” that repealing the Legacy Act could put Mr Adams in line for a “cheque”.

The Legacy Act presently blocks him – and many others interned without trial in the 1970s – from claiming compensation for unlawful detention.

Mr Adams was detained in the early 1970s when the government in Northern Ireland introduced internment as violence spiralled in the early years of the Troubles.

More than 1,900 people suspected of being members of paramilitary organisations were detained, but many were arrested based on flawed intelligence.

Mr Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA.

A clause in the act currently blocks payouts to him and about 400 other people also interned.

Labour, which has begun the process of repealing the act, said the previous government’s approach to legacy was “almost universally opposed in Northern Ireland”.

If the Legacy Act was repealed, it is thought highly likely Mr Adams would pursue compensation.

Several peers have backed a report by Policy Exchange, a London-based think tank, criticising moves to lift the ban.

‘A real mess’

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Sir Keir said the act was “unfit” because it was not supported by victims or political parties.

He referred to the Northern Ireland High Court ruling that part of the act was incompatible with human rights’ legislation and the Windsor Framework.

“We will put in place a better framework, we’re working on a draft remedial order and replacement legislation and we will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases claiming damages and it’s important I say that on the record,” he said.

If Mr Adams was successful with a compensation bid, it could result in a six-figure payout.

This would cover both his unlawful detention and a prosecution for attempted escapes, for which he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Speaking after Sir Keir’s comments at PMQs, his official spokesman said he could not guarantee that compensation payments to Mr Adams or other former Troubles internees would be prevented.

“Clearly the government’s intention is to prevent compensation from being paid,” he said.

“We are going to look at every option but I can’t get ahead of that process.

“The prime minister wouldn’t make the commitment on the floor of the House if he didn’t think we could address this issue.

“It is a complex area and we have been left with a real mess when it comes to the Northern Ireland Legacy Act which was completely unfit for purpose”.

Attorney general challenged

Earlier in the Commons, former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said the Policy Exchange report raised significant concerns.

The Conservative MP urged the government to “return to the previous cross-party position” to block such compensation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he had seen the report but added that the approach in the Legacy Act had been found unlawful.

“Of course, as the last government did, we will continue to see if we can find a lawful way of dealing with the issue he has identified,” said Benn.

PA Media

Gerry Adams is thought likely to pursue a bid for compensation

Meanwhile the attorney general for England and Wales was asked during an appearance at the Commons Justice Committee about previously acting as a legal representative for Mr Adams.

Lord Hermer said he wasn’t “inclined” to answer questions on how he was remunerated for his work for “any given client”.

“I did represent Gerry Adams on something unconnected to the legacy… at the same time I was representing the family of a young British soldier murdered by the IRA in the 1970s,” he said.

“Both clients understood the importance of being able to represent everybody, that’s what a legal system is all about.”

What is the Legacy Act?

The act was the government’s controversial attempt to “draw a line” under the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

It was first proposed by the then prime minister Boris Johnson in 2021 as a solution to ending what he called “vexatious prosecutions” of former soldiers.

It was passed in 2023, but was opposed by victims’ groups and all the main political parties in Northern Ireland.

The act created a new legacy body known as the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to take over all Troubles-era cases from 1 May 2024, including those on the desk of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

It also shut down all historical inquests.

The act’s most controversial element, the offer of conditional immunity to suspects, was disapplied following legal action by bereaved families.

The court ruled this part of the act was incompatible with human rights’ legislation and the Windsor Framework.

Labour pledged to repeal the Legacy Act if they won the general election in July and formally began that process in December.

Why could Gerry Adams seek compensation?

A Supreme Court judgement in 2020 paved the way for Mr Adams to receive damages after it quashed his convictions over two attempted prison break-outs.

It ruled his detention was unlawful because the interim custody order (ICO) had not been “considered personally” by the then Northern Ireland Secretary Willie Whitelaw.

At the time, the Conservative government argued the ICOs were lawful due to a convention known as the Carltona principle, where officials and junior ministers routinely act in the name of a secretary of state.

A clause was inserted into the Legacy Act, blocking payouts to Mr Adams and about 400 other people interned in similar error.



Source link

Previous Post

China and Vietnam reaffirm political ties in top-level call

Next Post

US must not become complacent to a growing terrorism threat, a Counterterrorism Center official says

Related Posts

Trump and Musk’s split reflects a nation that’s divided on clean energy

Trump and Musk’s split reflects a nation that’s divided on clean energy

June 7, 2025
8
Trump's big bill also seeks to undo the big bills of Biden and Obama

Trump’s big bill also seeks to undo the big bills of Biden and Obama

June 7, 2025
5
Next Post
US must not become complacent to a growing terrorism threat, a Counterterrorism Center official says

US must not become complacent to a growing terrorism threat, a Counterterrorism Center official says

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0
Hamas and the media

Hamas and the media

June 7, 2025

Prolific B.C. drunk driver could face deportation after dozens of driving bans over 30 years

June 7, 2025

Syrian authorities announce closure of notorious Rukban camp

June 7, 2025
Costco goes bananas to protect members from tariffs

Costco goes bananas to protect members from tariffs todayheadline

June 7, 2025

Recent News

Hamas and the media

Hamas and the media

June 7, 2025
2

Prolific B.C. drunk driver could face deportation after dozens of driving bans over 30 years

June 7, 2025
3

Syrian authorities announce closure of notorious Rukban camp

June 7, 2025
5
Costco goes bananas to protect members from tariffs

Costco goes bananas to protect members from tariffs todayheadline

June 7, 2025
5

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Hamas and the media

Hamas and the media

June 7, 2025

Prolific B.C. drunk driver could face deportation after dozens of driving bans over 30 years

June 7, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co