Former First Minister of Northern Ireland Dame Arlene Foster has launched a scathing attack on Government plans that could see Gerry Adams receive compensation for his detention during the Troubles.
Speaking to GB News, Foster branded the potential payout as “completely unjustifiable” and “another kick” to victims across Northern Ireland and the UK.
The former DUP leader warned that the issue extends beyond Adams, as many others could claim compensation if the government proceeds with its planned remedial order in Parliament.
Foster expressed particular concern for victims of the Troubles, stating they have been “overlooked by governments at best and at worst have been kicked and abused and retraumatised” since the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
Arlene Foster has hit out at Labour for their decision which could potentially help compensate Gerry Adams
GB News / PA
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to examine “every conceivable way” to prevent compensation claims from Troubles internees like Gerry Adams.
The issue was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions, where Conservative Kemi Badenoch called it “shameful” that Starmer was proposing to “write a cheque to compensate Gerry Adams”.
The Labour Government plans to repeal the Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 after the Belfast High Court ruled it breaches the European Convention on Human Rights.
Starmer defended his position, noting that the current Troubles Act was “unfit” as it provided immunity to hundreds of terrorists and lacked support from victims and political parties in Northern Ireland.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to examine ‘every conceivable way’ to prevent compensation claims from Gerry Adams
PA
Foster explained that Policy Exchange has published research highlighting concerns about overturning what she called “the Carltona Principle”.
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Foster told GB News: “They say if you are going to overturn this principle, which was actually backed unanimously in Parliament in the troubles legislation, it was the only piece of the legislation actually under there that wasn’t controversial.
“Everybody backed it and said that the Supreme Court was wrong, and what we need to do is remedy this in Parliament, because Parliament is supreme.”
She added: “Everybody backed it, as I said, but now the Government is deciding that they aren’t going to go ahead with that, they’re going to place a remedial order in Parliament. And as a result, Gerry Adams and indeed many others will be able to claim compensation.”
The former First Minister expressed her frustration towards the situation, and expressed concern for the victims being “retraumatised” by the latest developments.
Foster told GB News that the decision is ‘another kick’ towards the victims of the Troubles
GB News
Foster concluded: “Not only is it wrong from a justice point of view, but for those victims in Northern Ireland and indeed across the UK, who have been through so much and who have been overlooked by Governments at best and at worst have been kicked and abused and retraumatised by what has happened to them since 1998, the Belfast Agreement.
“This is another kick to those victims and I think it’s completely unjustifiable.”
The previous Conservative government had blocked such compensation claims through the Northern Ireland Troubles Act 2023.
However, Labour has now tabled secondary legislation to repeal these blocking provisions.
Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA.