British truth panel rejected

The key proposals of the Eames-Bradley group on how to deal with ‘the legacy’ of the conflict in the North of Ireland have provoked a negative reaction, according to the results of a consultation process.

The ‘Consultative Group on the Past’ was set up by the British government to draw a veil over demands for inquiries into state killings and collusion. It was headed by establishment figures ‘Baron’ Robin Eames, the former Anglican Primate of All Ireland, and Denis Bradley, the former vice-chairman of the Policing Board.

The group reported in January last year, making 31 recommendations on how to deal with the past.

The group’s most glaring proposal was for a 12 thousand pound payment to the relatives of the 3,700 people killed during the conflict. The payment was to be made in tandem with a ban after five years on any further inquiries into past killings involving the British state.

After vocal opposition from many victims’ groups and some political parties, the plan for a cash payment was shelved.

Another proposal from the British-appointed panel also included the creation of a temporary ‘Legacy Commission’, pending the ban on inquiries, to manage victims needs.

There were 246 responses to the consultation process carried out by the British government.

Of these 72 were from victims’ organisations, political parties, churches and other groups while there were 174 individual submissions.

Most organisations rejected the cash payment, with unionists mainly opposing ‘recognition payments’ being made to the relatives of IRA Volunteers killed during the conflict.

Urgent Appeal