THE British government has formally tabled amendments to its controversial Troubles Legacy Bill in a bid to address concerns raised by victims.
One of the proposed changes would see a new truth recovery body able to conduct criminal investigations "where it judges that to be appropriate".
The move comes ahead of the committee stage of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, scheduled to proceed in the House of Lords next week.
The UK government has said the legislation aims to deliver better outcomes for those most impacted by the Troubles, including victims, survivors and veterans.
But the proposed legislation has proven to be deeply unpopular since it was first unveiled, drawing opposition from all of the major political parties in the north, the Irish government and victims' groups.
The draft legislation had proposed a new approach to dealing with the legacy of the conflict in the region, with more focus on truth recovery rather than criminal justice outcomes.
The most controversial aspects of the legislation were the promise of immunity from prosecution for perpetrators who agreed to provide information to a new truth body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), and a move to end conflict-related civil cases and inquests.
The government said its amendments would seek to address some of the principal concerns raised since the bill's introduction.
The amendments include allowing the new ICRIR body to conduct criminal investigations where it judges that to be appropriate.
Individuals who "knowingly or recklessly provide false information" to the ICRIR could also be prosecuted and have their immunity revoked under the amendments, while the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 could be disapplied to individuals who choose not to tell the ICRIR what they know, and are then convicted of an offence, meaning they would face a full sentence instead of a reduced one.
The amendments would also see bigger fines for non-compliance with the commission, and the strengthening the the body's independence by making clear that Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris should consult individuals before appointing the chief commissioner.
Mr Heaton-Harris said: "These amendments reflect the extensive engagement that has taken place, and demonstrates the Government's commitment to working with all interested parties regarding their concerns, and how these might be addressed.
"The government remains absolutely committed to delivering better outcomes for those most impacted by the Troubles."
