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Do not table bill on Troubles legacy, SDLP tells government | Do not table bill on Troubles legacy, SDLP tells government |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The SDLP has told the government not to table a bill in Westminster that sets out legislation with dealing with the legacy of the Troubles. | The SDLP has told the government not to table a bill in Westminster that sets out legislation with dealing with the legacy of the Troubles. |
Earlier this week, a draft of the bill detailing how disclosure of "sensitive" information in relation to historical investigations could be regulated was leaked to the media. | Earlier this week, a draft of the bill detailing how disclosure of "sensitive" information in relation to historical investigations could be regulated was leaked to the media. |
Alex Attwood said the proposals were against the Stormont House Agreement. | Alex Attwood said the proposals were against the Stormont House Agreement. |
He said the government was "creating impediments" to reopening cases. | He said the government was "creating impediments" to reopening cases. |
Speaking on BBC Northern Ireland's Sunday Politics programme, he said victims and survivors "want justice and answers to questions about the past". | Speaking on BBC Northern Ireland's Sunday Politics programme, he said victims and survivors "want justice and answers to questions about the past". |
Sensitivity | Sensitivity |
"Northern Ireland has bespoke mechanisms to dealing with issues of disclosure and the British government now drives a coach and horses through that by saying they will decide what information can and cannot be shared," he said. | "Northern Ireland has bespoke mechanisms to dealing with issues of disclosure and the British government now drives a coach and horses through that by saying they will decide what information can and cannot be shared," he said. |
He accused Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers of a "deliberate attempt to ensure that people don't get the access to information and truth that is at the heart of dealing with the past". | He accused Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers of a "deliberate attempt to ensure that people don't get the access to information and truth that is at the heart of dealing with the past". |
He added: "We have told the British government: 'Do not table this bill.' | He added: "We have told the British government: 'Do not table this bill.' |
"That's pretty severe advice to the British government given the sensitivity of this issue." | "That's pretty severe advice to the British government given the sensitivity of this issue." |
Issue | Issue |
But Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt said there was no way around national security issues. | But Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt said there was no way around national security issues. |
"The issue is not how often national security is mentioned in the clauses," he said. | "The issue is not how often national security is mentioned in the clauses," he said. |
"The issue for nationalists is that it is in there to begin with. | "The issue for nationalists is that it is in there to begin with. |
"The government has to make the call on national security." | "The government has to make the call on national security." |
Sinn Féin had said earlier this week that the proposed legislation was "inadequate" and "substantial changes were needed" around disclosure of information for families. | Sinn Féin had said earlier this week that the proposed legislation was "inadequate" and "substantial changes were needed" around disclosure of information for families. |
But a spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Office said: "The draft bill represents our best efforts to deal with the past and put the needs of victims and survivors first." |
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