Review Identifies Governance and Culture Issues at Troubles Legacy Commission

A review into the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery has found the body facing significant problems with financial management, leadership conflict and staff morale. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the findings were deeply concerning. He added that what had been identified in the report was unacceptable and falls below the standards expected.

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

He added that he was deeply concerned to see some of the findings in Peter May's review and that it is for the ICRIR board to take whatever steps are necessary and appropriate to address this.

The independent review was carried out by former Northern Ireland Civil Service permanent secretary Peter May. It was commissioned following concerns about the ICRIR's corporate effectiveness and culture. The report found descriptions of the culture in ICRIR included language like toxic, silo working, divided and disrespectful.

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. It 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, the report added.

That said, the report found that 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 19 recommendations. It called for urgent talks between the Northern Ireland Office and ICRIR, stronger financial oversight and a reset of the organisation's internal culture.

As of 31 March 2025, the ICRIR employed 169 members of staff. Of those, 60% were based in Belfast and 40% were based in London. It said 56% of ICRIR staff were female and 44% were male. The ICRIR began operating in May 2024.

The body was set up under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act. Many victims' groups oppose the ICRIR.

It was introduced by the previous Conservative government. The Labour government has promised to replace the ICRIR as part of a legacy reform package agreed with the Irish government. 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 said. Sir Declan Morgan added that the commission was a young and developing organisation. Sir Declan Morgan said none of the recommendations in the review relate to the pursuit of individual investigations.

He added that he wanted 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.