Labour refuses to include Omagh bombing in Troubles Bill despite IRA attack leaving 29 dead

The draft law, which has been criticised by Northern Ireland veterans, covers events between January 1966 and April 1998.

However, Mr Robinson pointed out the cut off date will not include the 29 victims of an IRA car bombing in County Tyrone.

The Omagh bombing is considered one of the worst atrocities during the Troubles, with almost 300 people also sustaining injuries.

Responding to Mr Robinson’s request, Sir Chris told MPs: “I am going to be resisting that amendment. Whatever date you choose would be, in one sense, an arbitrary one.

“I think the best date that worked for the previous legislation … and would also work in relation to this legislation is the date of the Good Friday Agreement, and that’s what we’re sticking to.

“I understand the point that’s being made about Omagh, and there is a public inquiry ongoing, and I think it’s important that the Irish Government cooperate fully with that process.”

Mr Robinson, who represents voters in East Belfast, expressed his “profound disappointment” and put pressure on Labour to “assist the families of the Omagh victims to achieve the answers they deserve”.

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Alex Burghart also criticised Labour for failing to give sufficient time to debate the proposed legislation.

He told MPs: “I do think it’s important to put on record the opposition’s unhappiness with how committee stage is being handled.

“Whilst, of course, we do welcome a committee of the whole house which allows honourable members from Northern Irish parties to contribute, the amount of time set aside is wholly inadequate to the task.”

Mr Burghart added: “The consequence of the scheduling is that this House will have very little time to spend on detailed scrutiny.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch met with Northern Ireland veterans ahead of today’s debate in the House of Commons.

The Conservatives and Reform UK have both put pressure on Labour to drop the proposed legislation after warning it would risk veterans facing vexatious legal cases.

Ex-Armed Forces Minister Al Carns also tabled several amendments to Labour’s legislation.

Mr Carns, a former Royal Marine who served in Northern Ireland, warned: “While I support many of the amendments brought forward today by the Government, I am still deeply concerned that this bill opens up the floodgates to hundreds of lawyers to pursue what can only be described as a strategic effort to rewrite history.”

Following a backlash in the House of Commons, Labour proposed 156 amendments, including one which gives the Attorney General the final say on whether Troubles-related prosecutions should go ahead.

The legislation overhauls the Conservative Party’s 2023 Legacy Act, which aimed to draw a line under the conflict and legal cases which have followed.

Sir Chris told MPs: “At its heart, this legislation exists to deliver the unfinished business of the Good Friday Agreement.

“For far too long, families and victims have been left without the clear, transparent answers they deserve, while veterans have faced prolonged uncertainty and anxiety.

“We must right the wrongs of the Legacy Act, which compounded those harms and failed to deliver the confidence of veterans, victims and families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

“Last week’s substantial amendments will strengthen our Bill immeasurably and I am confident that this framework turns a corner on legacy by putting truth and accountability first whilst upholding our lasting commitment to those who served.”

Members of the Victims and Survivors Forum in Northern Ireland watched the debate from the Commons public gallery on Monday.

Joe McVey, commissioner for victims and survivor, said: “Victims and survivors have waited a long time for meaningful progress in addressing the past.”