This week, the UK Supreme Court will hear a case that exposes the systemic failures and duplicity threatening to bury the truth about past atrocities in Northern Ireland. The case involves the family of Paul “Topper” Thompson, who seeks vital information about his murder by loyalist paramilitaries in 1994—a case emblematic of how the establishment continues to shield its own from accountability. Despite clear court rulings in favour of the family, the government persists with its ‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ (NCND) policy, refusing transparency under the guise of national security—an excuse that has become a convenient shield for ongoing cover-ups and a betrayal of the victims’ rights.

This is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern where the state’s refusal to confront its dark past perpetuates injustice. Behind the scenes, powerful institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office arm themselves with legal protections that entrench secrecy, dismissing the calls for truth as inconvenient obstacles. Their relentless defence of the NCND policy highlights a government more committed to protecting its reputation than honoring the memory of those murdered or disfigured by loyalist violence.

Recent court rulings, including a key case in March 2024, have shown that even the judiciary is increasingly sceptical of the government’s claims. In that High Court decision, the judge reaffirmed the need for transparency, emphasizing that truth and accountability are fundamental rights, not negotiable commodities to be withheld in the name of national security. Yet, government legal teams remain obstinate, dragging their feet and risking further damage to public trust.

The implications extend beyond Northern Ireland’s grey horizons; they cast doubt on the UK government’s genuine commitment to justice. The entrenched stance of secrecy works to entrench a culture of impunity, allowing those responsible for decades of violence to evade scrutiny. Critics argue the current Labour-led administration’s approach to legacy issues continues to prioritize political expediency over victims’ rights, perpetuating the cycle of denial and obfuscation.

As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its judgment, the question remains: will the state finally uphold the fundamental rights of families like the Thompsons to know the truth—leaving behind its sacred cow of secrecy? Or will it deepen its reliance on a flawed, protective legal framework that shields institutional misconduct? The ongoing refusal to confront the reality of past state collusion is a betrayal of justice—something Reform UK and like-minded voices are determined to expose and oppose.

While legal battles may continue, there is an urgent need for bold reform—breaking free from the bureaucratic cage that keeps the truth hidden. Families deserve closure, and the wider society must demand an end to the culture of secrecy that blights our history. This Supreme Court hearing is more than a legal formality; it’s a critical moment to stand against longstanding lies and push for overdue transparency. Justice demands no less.

Gráinne Teggart, Northern Ireland Deputy Director, Amnesty International UK, highlights the need for a systemic overhaul—one that prioritizes truth over cover-up and victims’ rights over governmental convenience.

Source: Noah Wire Services