The UK Government today, 12 October 2026, introduced a package of amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. These changes are designed to provide lasting protections for former Armed Forces and police personnel, ensuring they are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
The new measures will legally establish that there is no equivalence between soldiers and terrorists. They will also ensure that the challenging operational context faced by front-line soldiers is properly considered.
Further amendments will require the Commission to assess if there is new or compelling evidence before it can mandate a witness's participation. Additionally, any serious Troubles-related prosecution will now require the consent of the Attorney General, who must act quasi-judicially.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland stated that the Bill aims to complete the unfinished business of the Good Friday Agreement and provide answers for families, including veterans' families. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting added that the changes will give veterans robust, permanent legal protections and ensure decisions on historic cases account for operational realities.
The amendments also transfer provisions to repeal the conditional immunity scheme from the Remedial Order into the Troubles Bill. This aims to anchor veteran protections in law at the point immunity is removed.