KAREN Bradley's apology for claiming security force killings in the Troubles were "not crimes" had last night failed to quell calls for her resignation.
The secretary of state attracted a deluge of criticism after telling fellow MPs on Wednesday that military and police were "fulfilling their duty in a dignified and appropriate way".
She returned to the House of Commons within a matter of hours to say her remarks may have been "open to interpretation".
Mrs Bradley then issued a statement yesterday saying she was "profoundly sorry".
She is also expected to meet relatives of people killed by security force members today.
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The secretary of state's apology said the British government believed "fundamentally in the rule of law".
"I am profoundly sorry for the offence and hurt that my words have caused," she said.
"The language was wrong and even though this was not my intention, it was deeply insensitive to many of those who lost loved ones."
She said the victims' families she had met wanted to see "justice properly delivered".
"Where there is any evidence of wrongdoing this should be pursued without fear or favour, whoever the perpetrators might be," she said.
"That is a principle that underpins our approach to dealing with legacy issues and it is one from which we will not depart."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Wednesday's remarks were insensitive and wrong.
"Legacy issues in Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland are very difficult," he said.
"I've met families who have lost loved ones during the Troubles and they're still grieving, a lot of them are still hurting and have questions that are unanswered and are seeking justice even today."
The Fine Gael leader said it was important to highlight that the victims of security force killings were "civilians, not combatants, peaceful protesters in Derry on Bloody Sunday".
"We need a British government that is at least open to the possibility that these killings of civilians were crimes – indeed, there have been convictions for such killings," he said
However, the taoiseach would not be drawn on whether Mrs Bradley should resign.
"It's not for me to determine the composition of any other government, that's something for the prime minister and Karen herself to decide."
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty said: "It was an outrageous and ridiculous statement. No-one can be above the law and bereaved families who have been campaigning for almost five decades are entitled to the justice that the seek."
The Donegal TD's northern leader Michelle O'Neill called for the secretary of state to resign on Wednesday night.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood repeated his call for Mrs Bradley to quit after speaking to her by phone yesterday afternoon.
He said said he made it clear to the secretary of state that "she must tender her resignation"
"No lukewarm words can ever undo the hurt caused to families who lost loved ones at the hands of state violence – Theresa May would do well to remind her cabinet that they are not spokespeople for the DUP," he said.
"This is a pivotal moment for legacy and no party should be found wanting in their opposition to the secretary of state stepping down."
Alliance leader Naomi Long said the secretary of state needed to show “actions and not just words” to restore public confidence.
"That includes standing up to her own colleagues, some of whom continue to push the narrative she advocated in her initial statement yesterday, and resist efforts to undermine legacy arrangements with any statute of limitations," the East Belfast MLA said.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson said it was hypocritical for Sinn Féin to call for Mrs Bradley's resignation.
"It's time for Sinn Féin to encourage republicans to speak the truth about the Provisional IRA," he said.
"The calls for state truth and transparency reeks of hypocrisy."
