Al Carns MP, a former Armed Forces Minister, has tabled amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill intended to transfer previously halted Troubles-related inquests to the new Legacy Commission. This post has now been extended to include explanation of the UK-Ireland Joint Framework.
The former Royal Marine and now Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak argues that a single investigative system would reduce duplication, expense and delay while continuing to provide answers for victims' families.
His proposed New Clause 55, supported by MPs from other parties, would transfer cases closed under the 2023 Legacy Act to the Legacy Commission rather than allow them to resume in the coronial system.
A change of approach
Carns was the Armed Forces Minister when the Government introduced the Bill in October 2025. At the time, he emphasised the need to prevent repeated investigations from becoming a punishment for veterans. Since leaving ministerial office in June 2026, he has continued to express concerns about the proposed legacy arrangements.
Having resigned from the Government in June 2026, which he says was partly over its approach to Troubles legacy issues, Carns welcomed the latest Government amendments but maintained his objection to having parallel inquest and Legacy Commission processes.
His proposal differs from the Government's agreement with the Irish Government under the September 2025 Joint Framework [see below], which provides for nine previously halted inquests to resume and another 24 to be independently assessed.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated that the Government considers itself constrained by its commitments under that agreement.
The amendment has been tabled but has not been accepted by the Government. Whether it is selected for debate and a vote remains to be seen.
Sources: Commons amendment paper, 14 October 2026 – New Clause 55 and consequential amendments; Hansard, 13 October; The Telegraph, 13 October. Hansard
The UK–Ireland Joint Framework
The principal complication for Carns's proposal appears to be the Joint Framework agreed between the British and Irish Governments in September 2025.
Under that agreement, nine previously halted inquests would resume, while a further 24 would be independently assessed to determine whether they should proceed through the coronial system or the Legacy Commission.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated that the Government considers itself bound by commitments made to Dublin.
Carns's amendment therefore raises a question extending beyond the treatment of veterans: whether the Government can replace the agreed arrangements with a single investigative system while continuing to meet its obligations to victims' families and under the Joint Framework.
The amendment has not yet been considered by the Commons.
Further reading: UK–Ireland Joint Framework, September 2025.