The UK government says they are committed to repealing the Northern Ireland Legacy Act.

“In consultation with all parties, measures will be brought forward to begin the process of repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023",” said King Charles in his speech during the official state opening of parliament.

UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said the Labour government intended to do it "as soon as we can", though they are yet to give an exact timeline

The Legacy Act has been controversial since its inception, as it involves conditional amnesty for people suspected of crimes committed during the Troubles. It also introduced a ban on inquests and future civil actions related to the Troubles.

“The legacy act does not have the support of any of the political parties and victims' groups in Northern Ireland and we are committed to repeal and replace it,” Benn said. "It will mean getting rid of conditional immunity, it will mean working with the parties to restore civil cases and inquests and in particular those inquests which have been cut short by the May 1st deadline that the act brought them all to an end".

The British government’s decision has been praised by leading Irish politicians this afternoon.

"It is very welcome that the new British Government is following through on their election manifesto commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act,” wrote Tánaiste Micheál Martin on social media. “I have always been clear that this Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose.”