14 October 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has welcomed the progress made in today's legacy legislation, recognising hard-won gains secured by the SDLP, but also highlighted problems with new proposals.
Among the key improvements are safeguards to prevent information being labelled “sensitive” solely due to its source, a statutory conflict of interest policy for investigators, and a clear starting framework requiring the Legacy Commission to investigate and pursue all relevant leads.
However, the SDLP believes significant challenges remain, particularly where the Secretary of State retains a National Security veto over disclosure to families. Concerns also persist around inquests, ECHR compliance, the strength of the statutory oversight and the robust independence of both the Legacy Commission and the Legacy Unit within An Garda Síochána.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Claire Hanna MP said:
“It is right to welcome the progress achieved, we are a long way from the unilateral Legacy Act brought forward by the last government.
“The new Legacy Commission must be genuinely independent, transparent in its disclosure, and fully engaged with those impacted by the Troubles.
“Victims and their families must be at the centre of how this legislation is delivered. That includes the protection of hard-won inquests.
“Despite soundbites to the contrary, not a single bullet fired or violent act during the Troubles was justified. We must now act with determination and sincerity to deliver human rights compliant mechanisms to deal with the legacy of our past and allow us to move forward together."