London reneged on truth recovery

Irish Times, Letters, January 2nd, 2024.

Sir, – Harry Donaghy, John Green and Padraig Yeates state that “it is the failure of both governments to work effectively together and produce a joint strategy on truth recovery” (Letters, January 1st).

The New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement was agreed between both governments and the major political parties in the north in January 2020.

One issue tackled in NDNA was that of the legacy of the Troubles. The UK government was committed to introduce legislation within 100 days to give effect to the legacy mechanisms outlined in the Stormont House Agreement. This didn’t happen, and with its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, the UK government alone has decided to walk away from both the Stormont House and NDNA agreements.

A welcome consequence of the Irish Government’s action in initiating the inter-state case has been the publicity it has given to the action of the UK government.

For the first time I have heard the matter being the subject of a phone-in radio programme in Britain (LBC Radio). I have been amazed (though maybe not surprised) at how little attention has been given to the issue by “progressives” in the UK. If legislation ceasing all investigations, including inquests, were being introduced by Russia or China, there would be uproar from British commentators.

It is alleged that the UK government is trying to stop “vexatious” prosecutions against British soldiers. It is really trying to stop the world from finding out who in the British state system gave the orders for acts of collusion and violence. – Yours, etc,

DANNY BOYD,

Belfast.