On October 12 1984, the Provisional IRA attempted to assassinate then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, killing five people including the Conservative MP Sir Anthony Berry and injuring more than 30. The Act provided some legal immunity to perpetrators of crimes in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in return for their co-operation with a truth recovery body – the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). On coming into Government after the election, Labour pledged to repeal the Act but has said it will retain the ICRIR. “Now, I didn’t serve in the Troubles, but I did serve in Northern Ireland, and I understand them. “You have my absolute commitment that individuals will get the correct welfare and appropriate legal support to any individual that needs to go through legal proceedings.”

Source: The Herald October 14, 2024 17:27 UTC