SoS ‘cannot simply take forward’ legislation

NI Secretary Karen Bradley has pushed back the prospect of taking legislation through Westminster to give compensation to victims of historical institutional abuse.

BBC News NI has seen a letter from Mrs Bradley, which was sent to victims’ groups on Tuesday.

It comes a day after the Executive Office published responses to a public consultation on HIA redress.

In the letter, Mrs Bradley suggested putting HIA payments as an item in the Stormont talks process was the “quickest possible way to bring this issue to a resolution”.

“Unfortunately we cannot simply take forward legislation without addressing the consultation feedback,” Mrs Bradley said in her letter.

“Urgent consideration needs to be given to the views expressed during the consultation.”

The consultation received 562 responses – however the Executive Office said it has completed its analysis of them.

He is chairing the working group looking at the Programme for Government.

She added: “The current talks are the best opportunity for these complex issues – such as the total redress payment – to be discussed by local politicians.”

Mrs Bradley also said it is “vital” progress is made by the end of May, in line with the overall talks process being reviewed, so that “draft legislation can be finalised”.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said the secretary of state believes “the quickest and best route to deliver for victims and survivors is to include this issue as a priority in the talks process”.

“This has a timeframe to make progress by the end of May,” it added.

It was chaired by Sir Anthony Hart and its remit covered a 73-year period from the foundation of Northern Ireland in 1922 through to 1995.

The inquiry made a number of recommendations including compensation, a memorial and a public apology to abuse survivors.

Mrs Bradley said she will also meet the chair of the HIA inquiry, Sir Anthony Hart, in the coming days, as well as a number of victims’ and survivors’ groups next week.

Amnesty International has described the latest development as a “shameful betrayal of abuse victims, who have been let down time after time”.

Last week, Stormont’s political parties echoed calls from David Sterling and victims’ groups for the secretary of state to take immediate action on HIA compensation.