Gregory Campbell: Terrorists were responsible for 90% of the Troubles killings and any legacy structures must reflect that

To adopt any other approach risks skewing the balance of investigations and rewriting the past for future generations. That must not be allowed to happen.

The DUP opposed key elements of the government’s 2018 draft bill, including the focus on ‘non-criminal police misconduct.’ This threatened a further witch hunt against members of the RUC who acted bravely, honourably and appropriately during the Troubles.

A change in direction was therefore necessary and welcome. However we continue to reserve judgement on the new plans announced in March which would be far-reaching in practice but are presently exceptionally light on detail.

Specific answers are needed on the implications of any move to permanently close investigations. Victims advocates have put forward alternative models and these should be actively considered.

Despite repeated assurances by ministers and officials of regular communication it appears that there has also been a fundamental failure to engage with the loved ones of innocent victims or their representatives since March. This is not just unjustifiable but counterproductive.

If the government is genuinely serious about achieving fair and sustainable agreement it needs to deal with this growing distrust.

Collectively the secretary of state and Northern Ireland Office need to realise that a vacuum in engagement with victims, their families and advocates benefit only those with narrow and cynical political agendas, such as Sinn Fein.

They should remember first and foremost who this legislation to supposed to benefit and the pain and trauma these families encounter on a daily basis.

The failure to consult fully on the current proposals, or see progress, has also provided the Irish government convenient cover to maintain its preclusive, do-nothing attitude to legacy investigations.

We must remember that the Irish state is neither a neutral arbiter nor an innocent bystander when it comes to these issues.

Testament to this fact are the countless accounts of IRA murders in Northern Ireland with related allegations of collusion or obstruction on the part of the Garda and other authorities.

At a time when there is much focus on police investigations being complaint with Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights it is difficult to view Dublin’s refusal to release important documents as anything other than an abdication of its moral and legal responsibilities.

This week’s report by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee reflects a range of cross-party concerns with the sequencing of the Government’s current plans. It sets out a challenge to both governments to step up to the mark and fulfil their obligations.

The DUP will continue to ensure the committee as well as other important forums pursue progress. Any blueprint for new investigations must be victim-led and victim-centred. It needs to reflect that 90% of deaths were by terrorists and that an amnesty for perpetrators is unacceptable.

We believe it is tragic that for some families seeking answers, time has already run out. For others the window is getting smaller and smaller.

To meet their needs and support the desire for truth and justice it’s time the government redoubled efforts to reach a balanced and timely agreement.

• Gregory Campbell is DUP MP for East Londonderry and a member of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee

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