NI secretary deeply concerned by review into legacy body

The findings of a review into the body which investigates Troubles-related deaths are deeply concerning, the Northern Ireland secretary has said.

The report found the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was facing significant problems with financial management, leadership conflict and staff morale.

Hilary Benn said what had been identified in the report was "unacceptable and falls below the standards expected".

Chief commissioner Sir Declan Morgan said the body regretted the shortcomings and it was committed to addressing the issues.

"I am deeply sorry that this has happened on my watch," he added.

The independent review, which was carried out by former Northern Ireland Civil Service permanent secretary Peter May, was commissioned following concerns about the ICRIR's corporate effectiveness and culture.

On the subject of culture, the report found: "Descriptions of the culture in ICRIR (and particularly relating to the senior team and their interactions) have included language like toxic, silo working, divided and disrespectful."

While acknowledging there were individuals who had not experienced or seen adverse behaviours, the report said "pretty much everyone recognised there were deep divisions which were damaging the successful completion of work as well as adversely impacting morale and in some cases wellbeing of staff."

As of 31 March 2025, according to its annual report, the commission employed 169 members of staff - 60% were based in Belfast and 40% were based in London.

Of the total number, 56% were women and 44% were men.

The independent review found the senior leadership team had become divided and this had had an impact on staff.

It said this led to a lack of confidence in the senior team leaving some staff considering jobs elsewhere.

Divisions "needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency," the review said.

Some senior female staff members reported being treated in ways which were "rude and disrespectful".

One woman was quoted as saying: "I would not be treated in this way if I was a middle-aged man".

The report warns "there is a clear risk that things will run out of control" and it also talks about the "reputational damage" to the organisation.

It also revealed how some cases being investigated had to be "paused" because of a lack of resources.

Questions were also raised about how finances were being managed, with £60m spent so far with no investigation reports completed and published.

There were also concerns raised about the use of flights and taxis which were available to some staff but not others.

But the review did acknowledge the difficulties faced by the ICRIR as it had been asked to "complete one of the most challenging tasks facing our society".

It also referenced the challenges of bringing together staff from various policing backgrounds over the past two years.

Established to investigate deaths and serious injuries during Northern Ireland's decades-long conflict known as the Troubles, the ICRIR began began operating in May 2024.

It was set up under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.

Many victims' groups oppose the ICRIR - introduced by the previous Conservative government - and the Labour government has promised to replace it as part of a legacy reform package agreed with the Irish government.

"ICRIR was set up to undertake complex and sensitive investigations relating to deaths and serious injuries during the Troubles," Benn said.

"Its senior leadership team has a duty to uphold the organisation's values and those of the wider public sector to ensure victims, survivors and their families can have confidence in the organisation's ability to deliver.

"I am deeply concerned to see some of the findings in Peter May's review.

"It is for ICRIR board to take whatever steps are necessary and appropriate to address this."

The report said it was important to recognise there were real strengths in the work done to date,

"The commission has many good people committed to the mission of the organisation and willing to work hard to achieve it," it said.

"That said, ICRIR is facing significant problems resulting from a combination of the governing legislation which creates structural weaknesses, problems with the financial management and governance of the organisation and conflict among its senior leaders which is damaging the operation of the organisation and overall morale."

The review offered up 19 recommendations, the review called for urgent talks between the Northern Ireland Office and ICRIR, stronger financial oversight and a reset of the organisation's internal culture.

Sir Declan said the commission was a "young and developing organisation".

"I want to assure those that have come to us for help, that none of the recommendations in the review relate to our pursuit of individual investigations," he said.

"Our investigations teams are working tirelessly for families that have come to us for help.

"We will soon reach the milestone of producing our first report and once we have reached that point I expect a steady flow of reports over the months and years to come.