# Attorney General to approve Troubles prosecutions

> “Under the updated bill, the Attorney General must provide consent for any serious Troubles-related prosecution.”
>
> — HM Government; Press release (Northern Ireland Office), 12 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Police, courts, prisons](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/police-courts-and-prisons)
- **Speaker:** [HM Government](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/hm-government)
- **Made on:** 12 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Northern Ireland Office)
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Armed Forces veterans and police officers who served during the Troubles, and the victims and families seeking prosecutions
- **When:** When the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill becomes law (no date given)
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/troubles-bill-reinforced-with-permanent-legal-protections-and-safeguards-for-veterans (checked word for word on 13 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 13 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-troubles-ag-consent-2026

## Where it stands

The government tabled amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 12 October 2026. One requires the consent of the Attorney General, acting quasi-judicially, before any serious Troubles-related prosecution can go ahead. The card moves to legislated when the Bill becomes law with it.

## Timeline

- 12 October 2026, Promised: The government tables an amendment to the Troubles Bill requiring the Attorney General's consent for any serious Troubles-related prosecution

## About the cost

No cost has been published.

## Sources

- [Northern Ireland Office press release, 12 Oct 2026: Troubles Bill reinforced with permanent legal protections and safeguards for veterans](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/troubles-bill-reinforced-with-permanent-legal-protections-and-safeguards-for-veterans)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 13 October 2026.

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