Irish government challenge to UK legacy laws would not derail relations – Gove

By David Young, PA
Published 24th Nov 2023, 19:08 BST
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove at a press conference during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at Dublin Castle on FridaySecretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove at a press conference during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at Dublin Castle on Friday
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove at a press conference during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at Dublin Castle on Friday
​Any potential Irish government legal challenge against the UK's contentious legacy laws would not derail improving relations between Dublin and London, Michael Gove has insisted.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up said he respected the sovereign right of Ireland to take a case against his government at the European Court of Human Rights.

The Irish government is deliberating on whether to mount an interstate case against the UK. It could also decide to support an existing legal challenge against the laws.

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Ministers in Dublin are assessing legal advice on the issue from Attorney General Rossa Fanning.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent in September despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims' organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish government.

Aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences for those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

The new Act will also halt future civil cases and legacy inquests.

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Multiple Troubles victims and family members are supporting a legal challenge against aspects of the Act at Belfast High Court.