Brokenshire: No deadline to resolve Troubles victims' issues

James Brokenshire said it was vital to “get it right” on dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s conflict, rather than make hasty decisions.

His comments came a week before the first anniversary of the Fresh Start Agreement between Stormont’s leaders and the British and Irish governments.

While the signatories to that accord hailed it as a new beginning for power-sharing, the deal faced heavy criticism for its failure to address victims’ issues.

Last month, Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness expressed a desire to find a way forward on the legacy wrangle before the November 17 anniversary. It looks almost certain the date will pass next week with the matters still outstanding.

Mr Brokenshire set out his position after attending a conference on Brexit in Belfast.

“I remain committed to ensuring we find that way through to get this right,” he said.

“That is about getting it right and that focus, rather than necessarily rushing to artificial deadlines and timescales.”

The Northern Ireland secretary insisted he did not want to delay progress longer than necessary.

Proposed mechanisms were outlined in a previous political settlement – the Stormont House Agreement of 2014 – but they have not been established.

They are stuck in the starting blocks due to a political wrangle linked to the potential non-disclosure of state papers on national security grounds.