Back in London, however, the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, introduced in 2025 by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn continues its passage through Westminster. The Bill seeks to remove the protections from vexatious legal action for British soldiers and members of the IRA that were enshrined in the 2023 Northern Ireland Legacy Act passed by the previous Conservative government. Yet today, the British state is content to let individuals face legal scrutiny alone, while both the chain of command and the government that sent them to Northern Ireland step back from responsibility. It therefore has direct implications for the British military for decades to come. General Nick Parker was commander-in-chief 2010-2012, general officer, commanding Northern Ireland 2006-2007

Source: The Irish Times March 10, 2026 13:30 UTC