Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Sir Chris Bryant) has today made the following statement:

I am today laying before Parliament the report of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, and publishing it in full online.

I acknowledge the significant delay of fifteen years between the completion and publication of this report. While necessary to allow legal proceedings to conclude, this prolonged wait has undoubtedly caused Robert’s family deep anguish. I offer my profound sympathies to his family and pay tribute to their dignity throughout this ordeal.

On 27 April 1997, Robert Hamill was violently attacked by a large crowd in Portadown simply because he was a Catholic, dying from his injuries weeks later. His murder was a horrifying tragedy.

The Inquiry addressed two primary public concerns regarding the conduct of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC): first, whether officers in a nearby Land Rover were responsible for Robert Hamill’s death; and second, whether the subsequent investigation was inhibited by wrongful acts or omissions.

The Inquiry concluded that officers in the Land Rover were not guilty of any wrongful act or omission directly facilitating the death, though Sir Edwin Jowitt expressed a dissenting view. However, the Inquiry made stark findings regarding wrongful omissions during the initial police investigation between 27 April and 7 May 1997, concluding that these omissions severely hindered the investigation.

These omissions included:

Failure to carry out initial debriefings at the scene or at the police station, which was negligent and severely impacted the murder investigation;

Failure to carry out a full debriefing once it became clear Robert Hamill’s injuries were life-threatening;

Wrongful omissions by two officers to supply relevant information regarding an individual seen at the scene, which was negligent in one case and deliberate in the other.

Furthermore, the Inquiry found that RUC officer Robert Atkinson committed a deliberate wrongful act by tipping off a suspect, resulting in the destruction of evidence, and subsequently conspired to cover up the call, leading to his conviction for conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland will reflect on these findings. The Government remains committed to establishing effective mechanisms that deliver transparency and accountability for legacy cases.

I place on record my gratitude to the current and former chairs and panel members—Sir John Evans, the late Sir Edwin Jowitt, and Reverend Baroness Richardson—for their diligent service in uncovering the truth. Copies of the report have been placed in the libraries of both Houses.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

I am today laying before Parliament the report of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, and publishing it in full online.

I acknowledge the significant delay of fifteen years between the completion and publication of this report. While necessary to allow legal proceedings to conclude, this prolonged wait has undoubtedly caused Robert’s family deep anguish. I offer my profound sympathies to his family and pay tribute to their dignity throughout this ordeal.

On 27 April 1997, Robert Hamill was violently attacked by a large crowd in Portadown simply because he was a Catholic, dying from his injuries weeks later. His murder was a horrifying tragedy.

The Inquiry addressed two primary public concerns regarding the conduct of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC): first, whether officers in a nearby Land Rover were responsible for Robert Hamill’s death; and second, whether the subsequent investigation was inhibited by wrongful acts or omissions.

The Inquiry concluded that officers in the Land Rover were not guilty of any wrongful act or omission directly facilitating the death, though Sir Edwin Jowitt expressed a dissenting view. However, the Inquiry made stark findings regarding wrongful omissions during the initial police investigation between 27 April and 7 May 1997, concluding that these omissions severely hindered the investigation.

These omissions included:

Failure to carry out initial debriefings at the scene or at the police station, which was negligent and severely impacted the murder investigation;

Failure to carry out a full debriefing once it became clear Robert Hamill’s injuries were life-threatening;

Wrongful omissions by two officers to supply relevant information regarding an individual seen at the scene, which was negligent in one case and deliberate in the other.

Furthermore, the Inquiry found that RUC officer Robert Atkinson committed a deliberate wrongful act by tipping off a suspect, resulting in the destruction of evidence, and subsequently conspired to cover up the call, leading to his conviction for conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland will reflect on these findings. The Government remains committed to establishing effective mechanisms that deliver transparency and accountability for legacy cases.

I place on record my gratitude to the current and former chairs and panel members—Sir John Evans, the late Sir Edwin Jowitt, and Reverend Baroness Richardson—for their diligent service in uncovering the truth. Copies of the report have been placed in the libraries of both Houses.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

As I stated in my written ministerial statement issued on 7 July 2026, the inquiry panel has fulfilled its terms of reference and the checking process has been undertaken to meet obligations in relation to article 2 of the ECHR and national security. Given the time needed for the panel to finalise the text and to print the report, the final report will be published shortly after the summer recess.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

The Robert Hamill Inquiry opened in 2005. The previous chair of the Inquiry reported that the Terms of Reference were fulfilled in 2011. However, due to legal proceedings, the Inquiry report has not yet been published. These legal proceedings have recently concluded and steps are now being taken to publish the report. Following publication, I will take steps to ensure the total amount paid for inquiry expenses since its establishment is published within a reasonable time of the end of the inquiry, as required by Section 39 of the Inquiries Act 2005.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

Section 14(1) of the Inquiries Act 2005 sets out that for the purposes of the Act, an Inquiry comes to an end either:

(a) on the date, after the delivery of the report of the inquiry, on which the chairman notifies the Minister that the inquiry has fulfilled its terms of reference, or

(b) on any earlier date specified in a notice given to the chairman by the Minister.

In the case of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, the original Inquiry Chair, Sir Edwin Jowitt, advised the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, on 25 February 2011, that the Inquiry Panel had fulfilled its Terms of Reference. However, following announcement by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland in December 2010 of criminal proceedings against three individuals on charges of perverting the course of justice, it was agreed that the Inquiry Report would not be published or submitted to the Secretary of State until the conclusion of those legal proceedings. At that point, the Report was placed in a secure independent location, only accessible to the Inquiry Chair, Secretary and Solicitor. These legal proceedings have now concluded. A new Chair, Sir John Evans, was appointed on 7 October 2024 due to Sir Edwin unfortunately being unable to continue in the role. Steps are now being taken to publish the report.

The Billy Wright Inquiry report was published on 14 September 2010 with the Inquiry Chair, Lord MacLean, advising the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP on 12 December 2010 that the Inquiry had fulfilled its Terms of Reference in line with section 14 of the Inquiries Act 2005.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn) has today made the following statement:

I wish to provide an update to the House following the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s judgment in Dillon and Others regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act (‘the Legacy Act’); and on the appointment of Sir John Evans as the Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry.

The Government is absolutely committed to implementing mechanisms to address the legacy of the Troubles that fully comply with human rights. My previous Written Ministerial Statement, laid on 29 July 2024, confirmed that the Government, as part of its ongoing commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, had formally abandoned all grounds of appeal against the section 4 Human Rights Act declarations of incompatibility made by the Northern Ireland High Court in relation to the Act. This included the immunity provisions, providing important clarity for families that the immunity scheme and other offending provisions would not take effect. I also confirmed the Government’s intention to propose measures to further strengthen the independence and powers of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

On 20 September, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dillon and Others. The Court recognised “the wide powers of ICRIR and the benefit of having investigations placed within one body which is well-resourced” and further noted that the ICRIR has “unfettered access to all information, documents and materials as it reasonably requires in connection with a review” (https://www.bailii.org/nie/cases/NICA/2024/59.html, Paragraph 210). The Court concluded that such powers “cannot be criticised, nor should they be underestimated” (https://www.bailii.org/nie/cases/NICA/2024/59.html, Paragraph 210).

However, the Court of Appeal also made further declarations of incompatibility in relation to the Legacy Act to those made by the High Court. One of these was in relation to the current prohibition on civil proceedings - another policy pursued by the previous Government that this Government has already committed to reversing.

The other declarations of incompatibility relate to effective next of kin participation where an inquest was previously assigned in order to discharge the state’s Article 2 procedural obligations, and the role of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to public disclosure of information (https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/2024-09/Summary%20of%20judgment%20-%20In%20re%20Dillon%20and%20others%20-%20NI%20Troubles%20%28Legacy%20and%20Reconciliation%29%20Act%202023%20CA.pdf).

The Government has already made clear its intention to propose measures that allow legacy inquests previously halted to proceed, should that be the preference of families. Notwithstanding this, the Government takes these further declarations of incompatibility very seriously, and it remains my priority to ensure that the ICRIR can provide human rights compliant investigations in all relevant cases.

The Court largely upheld the High Court’s findings in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, which as I noted in my statement to the House on 29 July, introduces legal uncertainty about what protections are afforded by Article 2, and how legislation applies across the United Kingdom.

This is a complex and wide-ranging judgment with significant implications. The Government is therefore carefully considering its findings to inform a decision on the way forward. I wish to make clear to the House that any such decision will be without prejudice to the Government’s absolute commitment to addressing legacy issues in a way that is fully human rights compliant, and to the fullest possible transparency within the framework that rightly exists to ensure that those who work to keep the citizens of the United Kingdom safe are themselves protected from harm.

As set out in my statement of 29 July, the Government has begun preparations to lay in Parliament a draft remedial order under section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 to remedy the original declarations of incompatibility made by the High Court, including the immunity provisions. In light of the additional declarations of incompatibility made by the Court of Appeal, I am reviewing this process and will update the House in due course.

This Government takes its human rights obligations - and its responsibilities to victims and survivors of the Troubles - extremely seriously. As part of the Government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, I continue to undertake consultations with interested parties regarding a practical way forward that can command support across communities in Northern Ireland and beyond. I said previously that this process will involve difficult conversations, and that is proving to be the case in my engagements so far which have been sometimes challenging but always insightful. I am encouraged by the willingness of those I have met to date to engage constructively. I look forward to further discussions in the period ahead.

Separately, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sir John Evans as Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry. A Chair of the Inquiry is required in order for the Inquiry Report to be formally passed to me for publication. Due to the passage of time since the report was completed in 2011, it was necessary for me to appoint a new Chair of the Inquiry, as the former Chair, Justice Sir Edwin Jowitt, is unfortunately unable to continue in the role. I wish to send him my very best wishes, and thank him for all he did in his time as Chair.

Sir John was a panel member when the Inquiry was in operation, and worked closely with Sir Edwin on the report. Sir John brings a wealth of experience to the role as a former Chief Constable, and I know he will do everything in his power to ensure the Inquiry Report is published soon.

I will remain in close contact with Sir John ahead of the Inquiry report being passed formally to me in order to arrange for the necessary legal and security checks to be completed. While I will do everything I can to ensure the report is published as soon as possible, due to the passage of time since the report was completed, it is imperative that these checks happen before publication.

I want to pay tribute to Robert Hamill’s family for their patience, and their dignity, as they awaited the conclusion of relevant criminal proceedings. I will make a further statement to Parliament when the report is published.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

I wish to provide an update to the House following the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s judgment in Dillon and Others regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act (‘the Legacy Act’); and on the appointment of Sir John Evans as the Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry.

The Government is absolutely committed to implementing mechanisms to address the legacy of the Troubles that fully comply with human rights. My previous Written Ministerial Statement, laid on 29 July 2024, confirmed that the Government, as part of its ongoing commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, had formally abandoned all grounds of appeal against the section 4 Human Rights Act declarations of incompatibility made by the Northern Ireland High Court in relation to the Act. This included the immunity provisions, providing important clarity for families that the immunity scheme and other offending provisions would not take effect. I also confirmed the Government’s intention to propose measures to further strengthen the independence and powers of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

On 20 September, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dillon and Others. The Court recognised “the wide powers of ICRIR and the benefit of having investigations placed within one body which is well-resourced” and further noted that the ICRIR has “unfettered access to all information, documents and materials as it reasonably requires in connection with a review” (https://www.bailii.org/nie/cases/NICA/2024/59.html, Paragraph 210). The Court concluded that such powers “cannot be criticised, nor should they be underestimated” (https://www.bailii.org/nie/cases/NICA/2024/59.html, Paragraph 210).

However, the Court of Appeal also made further declarations of incompatibility in relation to the Legacy Act to those made by the High Court. One of these was in relation to the current prohibition on civil proceedings - another policy pursued by the previous Government that this Government has already committed to reversing.

The other declarations of incompatibility relate to effective next of kin participation where an inquest was previously assigned in order to discharge the state’s Article 2 procedural obligations, and the role of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to public disclosure of information (https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/2024-09/Summary%20of%20judgment%20-%20In%20re%20Dillon%20and%20others%20-%20NI%20Troubles%20%28Legacy%20and%20Reconciliation%29%20Act%202023%20CA.pdf).

The Government has already made clear its intention to propose measures that allow legacy inquests previously halted to proceed, should that be the preference of families. Notwithstanding this, the Government takes these further declarations of incompatibility very seriously, and it remains my priority to ensure that the ICRIR can provide human rights compliant investigations in all relevant cases.

The Court largely upheld the High Court’s findings in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, which as I noted in my statement to the House on 29 July, introduces legal uncertainty about what protections are afforded by Article 2, and how legislation applies across the United Kingdom.

This is a complex and wide-ranging judgment with significant implications. The Government is therefore carefully considering its findings to inform a decision on the way forward. I wish to make clear to the House that any such decision will be without prejudice to the Government’s absolute commitment to addressing legacy issues in a way that is fully human rights compliant, and to the fullest possible transparency within the framework that rightly exists to ensure that those who work to keep the citizens of the United Kingdom safe are themselves protected from harm.

As set out in my statement of 29 July, the Government has begun preparations to lay in Parliament a draft remedial order under section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 to remedy the original declarations of incompatibility made by the High Court, including the immunity provisions. In light of the additional declarations of incompatibility made by the Court of Appeal, I am reviewing this process and will update the House in due course.

This Government takes its human rights obligations - and its responsibilities to victims and survivors of the Troubles - extremely seriously. As part of the Government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, I continue to undertake consultations with interested parties regarding a practical way forward that can command support across communities in Northern Ireland and beyond. I said previously that this process will involve difficult conversations, and that is proving to be the case in my engagements so far which have been sometimes challenging but always insightful. I am encouraged by the willingness of those I have met to date to engage constructively. I look forward to further discussions in the period ahead.

Separately, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sir John Evans as Chair of the Robert Hamill Inquiry. A Chair of the Inquiry is required in order for the Inquiry Report to be formally passed to me for publication. Due to the passage of time since the report was completed in 2011, it was necessary for me to appoint a new Chair of the Inquiry, as the former Chair, Justice Sir Edwin Jowitt, is unfortunately unable to continue in the role. I wish to send him my very best wishes, and thank him for all he did in his time as Chair.

Sir John was a panel member when the Inquiry was in operation, and worked closely with Sir Edwin on the report. Sir John brings a wealth of experience to the role as a former Chief Constable, and I know he will do everything in his power to ensure the Inquiry Report is published soon.

I will remain in close contact with Sir John ahead of the Inquiry report being passed formally to me in order to arrange for the necessary legal and security checks to be completed. While I will do everything I can to ensure the report is published as soon as possible, due to the passage of time since the report was completed, it is imperative that these checks happen before publication.

I want to pay tribute to Robert Hamill’s family for their patience, and their dignity, as they awaited the conclusion of relevant criminal proceedings. I will make a further statement to Parliament when the report is published.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

The only outstanding report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Office is the report of the Robert Hamill inquiry, which was completed by Sir Edwin Jowitt in early 2011. At that time it was announced that due to ongoing legal proceedings against three individuals the report would not be published. These proceedings remain ongoing. The report will be published in full as soon as practicable.