AQW 5776/16-21 Written question to the Minister of Justice
To ask the Minister of Justice whether she intends to (i) seek agreement for proposed Westminster legislative provisions to pardon those convicted of abolished sex offences to be extended to Northern Ireland; or (ii) introduce legislation.
Asked by Naomi Long MLA on 20 October 2016
- Answered
- Written
- Priority
- Tabled
- 20 October 2016
- Answer due by
- 25 October 2016
- Answered
- 25 October 20165 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Justice
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
The amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill builds on existing legislation already in place in England and Wales for disregarding convictions for old homosexual offences which are no longer unlawful. These provisions, which are in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, do not extend to Northern Ireland, therefore the proposed new law could not work here by extension.
A change to the law in Northern Ireland would therefore require Assembly legislation. I am happy to consider this policy issue.