The government’s plan for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles is due to be debated in the House of Commons after ministers published hundreds of amendments to the proposals.
Among the revisions is a measure that would require the attorney general to provide consent before any serious prosecutions relating to incidents from the Northern Ireland conflict could proceed. The change was among a number of alterations set out by the government ahead of the parliamentary debate.
The term "Troubles" refers to the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland that began in the late 1960s and officially eased after the 1998 peace accords. Ministers say the package of measures is intended to address outstanding legacy issues from that period, although the publication of extensive amendments underlines the sensitivity and complexity of the legislation.
The Commons debate will give MPs the opportunity to scrutinise the amendments and the wider approach to legacy issues. How Parliament responds could determine the shape of prosecutions, inquiries and other mechanisms intended to deal with past events.
Supporters of a comprehensive legislative solution argue it is necessary to provide clarity and closure for victims and for those investigated, while opponents have raised concerns about accountability and legal safeguards. The debate in the Commons will be closely watched for its political and legal implications as the government seeks to move the proposals forward.