Secretary of State Hilary Benn has begun consultations with victims, survivors and families as part of the Government’s commitment to replace the controversial Legacy Act.
Mr Benn said that the views of victims and survivors will be “central” to his governments approach to legacy.
On Thursday he met with the South East Fermanagh Foundation and the Victims and Survivors Forum in Belfast.
Speaking after the meetings, Mr Benn said: “I know that many victims, survivors and families felt ignored by the previous government’s approach to legacy. Indeed that is part of the reason why the Legacy Act was so widely opposed.
”In my meetings with the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation today, I reiterated that the views of victims and survivors will be central to this Government’s approach to legacy.
“I am grateful to all those with whom I have spoken today, many of whom shared very personal stories about the loss of loved ones during the Troubles. I look forward to continuing discussions in the period ahead.”
In July, Mr Benn began the process of repealing the Act’s controversial conditional immunity scheme. The Government has also pledged to reverse the current prohibition on bringing new civil proceedings, and to propose measures allowing inquests previously halted to proceed.
