Ulster Unionists will ‘ensure that history not rewritten’ under new legacy proposals - Burrows
Preventing the rewriting of the history of the Troubles will be one of the guiding principles of the Ulster Unionist Party’s response to the government’s latest legacy proposals, an MLA has said.
The plans were unveiled jointly by the UK and Irish governments on Friday, as the Legacy Act is scrapped and replaced with a new framework – which is closer to the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, which was never implemented.
It will see the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) reformed to become a Legacy Commission, which will investigate Troubles deaths. A separate body will be created to deal with information recovery.
Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, UUP MLA Jon Burrows said his party would give the proposals “serious and solemn reflection” – but would adopt a number of “guiding principles”.
He said the party’s approach would be “informed mostly by victims” – as too often during the peace process, the “needs of perpetrators have come first and those of victims have come second. Blind eyes were turned to violence for the greater good, if you define the ‘greater good’ as ignoring violence”.
The North Antrim MLA said: “Secondly, we will make sure that there is fair treatment for the vast majority of servicemen and police officers who put on a uniform and went out to serve our country with courage and distinction.
“Before any proposals have our support, we will ensure that they recognise fairness for our veterans and police officers.
“Thirdly, we will ensure that history cannot be rewritten. It is the strategic intent of some people, including some in this place, to rewrite history. We will make sure that that does not happen.
“Fourthly, we will uphold the rule of law and justice in our country”.
Mr Burrows also questioned “the belated commitment” of the Irish government to investigate Troubles-related crimes. “Why has it taken until 2025 for them to make a commitment to investigate such crimes? How many people have died who were victims? How many suspects have died who were never brought to justice? How much evidence has been lost?” he said.