The UK government has enacted new legislation that prevents former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and approximately 400 other former detainees from claiming taxpayer-funded compensation. This change follows a new Troubles Bill, which directly addresses compensation claims stemming from the conflicts in Northern Ireland, reports BritPanorama.
This legislative move is a response to a 2020 Supreme Court ruling, which had found that certain historical detentions during the Troubles were unlawful. The decision prompted concerns that the government could face significant financial liabilities due to a potential influx of claims from individuals asserting they were wrongfully detained.
The landmark ruling, initiated by Adams himself, determined that his detention under an Interim Custody Order (ICO) was invalid as it was signed by a junior minister rather than the Secretary of State. This judgment set a precedent that opened the way for numerous compensation claims and the quashing of convictions. In 2023, Adams successfully contested a denial of compensation concerning his earlier convictions for attempting to flee custody.
In light of these developments, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is set to present the new legal measures to Parliament, clarifying the lawful authority of junior ministers to sign ICOs. This clarification is expected to eliminate all avenues for compensation-related claims arising from these detentions.
A source within the government emphasized the previous administration’s failures to address the compensation issue efficiently, stating, “Today we are making it clear in the law that detentions were legitimate and lawful. A result of this will be that those previously eligible will not get a single penny of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash.” This legislation marks a significant shift in how the UK government approaches historical grievances from the Troubles era and its implications for public funding.
