Joe McVey urges focus on victims’ confidence ahead of Troubles Bill debate

Joe McVey, Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, urged greater focus on victims’ confidence in the UK government’s Troubles legislation as MPs prepared to debate the Bill at Westminster on 19 October 2026, RTÉ reported in a PA account. Members of Northern Ireland’s Victims and Survivors Forum were due to attend the debate.

McVey said independence and impartiality were essential to building confidence in the processes the Bill would establish. He called for those processes to recognise people’s differing experiences and needs, with victims’ and survivors’ voices central to decisions about investigations, inquests and the recovery of information.

What MPs are due to consider in the Troubles Bill

The UK government proposed 156 amendments the previous week, the report said. One would give the UK Attorney General the final say on whether prosecutions related to the Troubles should proceed. The government cited precedents for that approach, including national security matters, while the Northern Ireland Office said it would reduce duplicate investigations.

Government amendments on veterans and witnesses

In a statement on 12 October, the Northern Ireland Office said it had tabled amendments providing permanent legal protections and safeguards for veterans and police officers. Its proposals included consideration of new or compelling evidence before a witness could be required to participate in a process under the legislation.

The department said the amendments followed engagement with veterans’ groups. It said its aim was to help victims and bereaved families seek information and potentially closure. McVey’s call puts the confidence of those families at the centre of the debate over how the proposed processes would work for people seeking answers about the Troubles.