Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann MLA has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, asking her to fulfil the UK Government’s obligation to survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse and end their wait for redress.

The text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Karen,

I am writing to you regarding the plight being faced by victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse as they continue to wait to be treated with the dignity they deserve.

The process following the publication of Sir Anthony Hart’s report has been dragged out and continues to frustrate survivors who have already waited too long for appropriate recognition of the suffering they faced.

My Party has already made a call for an interim payment to be made, recognising that there are those who may not live to see the Redress Board established.

I am aware that the Scottish Government has outlined in their Budget that they intend to make payments to the elderly and infirm prior to legislation being passed on a redress scheme for victims of child sex abuse in that jurisdiction.   

This move highlights just how disgracefully survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland continue to treated.

So again, I make a plea to you and the UK Government to move on this issue.  You have set a precedent by passing budgets for Northern Ireland and making public appointments.  You would be hard pressed to find a critical voice on providing some level of relief to HIA survivors in this instance.      

With no realistic prospect of the Northern Ireland Executive being restored in the near future, the UK Government has an obligation to act.

Yours sincerely,

Robin Swann MLA

Leader, Ulster Unionist Party

ENDS