SINN Féin has asked for an urgent meeting with new secretary of state Brandon Lewis amid concerns the British cabinet reshuffle will affect the government's commitment to legacy issues.
Mr Lewis (48), a former security minister, was yesterday announced as new secretary of state after Julian Smith was sacked.
The MP for Great Yarmouth backed Remain in the 2016 referendum and has served in a wide range of roles in government, including in housing, policing and immigration.
He was the Conservative party chairman from 2018 until 2019 and was made a CBE in former Prime Minister Theresa May's resignation honours list.
"I am honoured to have been appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the Prime Minister," he tweeted yesterday.
"This is an exciting time for Northern Ireland & I follow fantastic colleagues as predecessors, whose work I hope we can continue to build on."
However, Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill warned that the British government must not renege on commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement which saw the return of power-sharing at Stormont last month after a three-year hiatus.
Some Tory MPs are reportedly unhappy that the commitment to bring forward proposals to tackle the legacy of the Troubles within 100 days of the return of Stormont will cut across what they believe are the unfair prosecutions of former British soldiers who served during the conflict.
Measures to set up a Historical Investigations Unit, first agreed in December 2014, need to be progressed through legislation at Westminster.
“Reports from London that Julian Smith was sacked as a result of commitments made to bring forward legislation to implement the legacy bodies agreed at Stormont House are very concerning for victims of the conflict and their families," Ms O'Neill said.
“The British government has already dragged this process out for more than five years, delaying the publication of legislation again and again.
“Some victims have been waiting up to five decades for truth and disclosure.
“It is unacceptable for the British government to backtrack on commitments made only weeks ago in the New Decade New Approach agreement.
“The British government must honour its agreements regardless of who is in the office of British Secretary of State."
Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken congratulated Mr Lewis on his appointment but warned he has a "very large in-tray to deal with".
"Devolution has been restored, but faces many hurdles," he said.
"Robin Swann needs as much support as possible from his Executive colleagues in restoring the health service to an even keel and the Secretary of State has a key role to play in helping to ensure he gets that support.
"Brandon Lewis also needs to take on board the huge concerns around the New Decade, New Approach document including the Stormont House legacy provisions and I’ll be making clear that the Historical Investigations Unit should be binned. The larger parties may think that it`s a done deal, but there`s still a long way to go."
He also called on Mr Lewis to start "actively campaigning for the Union" as Sinn Féin engages in talks to form the next Irish government.
