Prime Minister’s spokesman says Northern Ireland Secretary responsible for move which could open door for payouts to jailed Republicans

There is unrest within the UK Parliament at the idea of former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams benefitting from the compensation scheme.

Keir Starmer has promised to ‘look at every conceivable way to prevent’ the former Sinn Fein leader receiving compensation. John Rentoul looks at how the possibility arose in the first place

Mr Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA. A clause in the act currently blocks payouts to him and about 400 other people also interned. Labour, which has begun the process of repealing the act, said the previous government's approach to legacy was "almost universally opposed in Northern Ireland".

A report backed by Lords warned on Wednesday the former Sinn Fein president and MP could be in line for compensation over internment during 1970s. | UTV News

A thinktank backed by 16 peers has criticised the government's plan to lift a ban on compensation for unlawful detention during the Troubles.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is in line for "a pay day from the taxpayer" under plans to repeal the Legacy Act, a report backed by several peers has stated.

Forgotten victims’ say repealing Troubles legislation would be ‘perverse’ and ‘destabilise reconciliation within the legacy’

Conservative Kemi Badenoch said in the Commons it was 'shameful' Sir Keir is proposing to 'write a cheque to compensate Gerry Adams'. Sir Keir was grilled on the prospect of the former Sinn Fein leader receiving a payout during PMQs.

Sir Keir Starmer was speaking in the House of Commons after the Conservatives said it was "shameful" that repealing the Legacy Act could put Mr Adams in line for a "cheque". The Legacy Act presently blocks him - and many others interned without trial in the 1970s - from claiming compensation for unlawful detention.