Ulster Unionists, Councillor Jeffrey Dudgeon MBE, Danny Kinahan MP and Doug Beattie MC MLA have welcomed progress on the extension of pardons for gay and bisexual men relating to abolished offences to Northern Ireland.
This follows the statement by the Justice Minister that a Legislative Consent Motion will be brought to the Northern Ireland Assembly, to approve amendments to the Policing and Crime Bill at Westminster.
Councillor Jeffrey Dudgeon MBE said:
“Today’s announcement is a step forward for fairness and justice. It’s good to see the Department of Justice living up to its name, delivering justice for those who were previously convicted for no more than being in consensual same sex relationships.
“My colleague Danny Kinahan MP and I, penned a letter to the Justice Secretary calling on the UK Government to support amendments which would extend the pardons to Northern Ireland, and we are delighted that this position has been accepted.
“A lot of hard work has been put in at Westminster, and I commend the work of Lord Lexden who drafted the amendments. It is now up to the Northern Ireland Assembly to deliver fairness for the LGB&T community.
Danny Kinahan MP said:
“It is good to see some movement finally made on this issue, which I hope reflects a welcome change of attitudes.
“Pardons for gay and bisexual men convicted of crimes which no longer exist, have been a long time coming.
“Although the pardons are welcome, they will not compensate for the misery many gay and bisexual men faced as a result of their convictions.
“It is a great shame how men such as Alan Turing were treated by our justice system, but a pardon will go some way to right that wrong.
Ulster Unionist Party Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA:
“I am delighted that the Northern Ireland Assembly will have a say on this issue.
“This is a welcome opportunity for the Assembly to send a positive signal to our LGB&T community, by pardoning those convicted under offences which would not be crimes today.
“This is a historic wrong which must be corrected. I hope the Assembly will support the LCM and extend the pardons to Northern Ireland.”
ENDS