A joint letter from party leaders to the Secretary of State on historical institutional abuse redress.

Our parties wrote to you in May this year with an agreed response to a number of issues raised by you on the draft legislation to provide redress to the victims of Historical Institutional Abuse

We welcome confirmation today from Head of the Civil Service David Sterling that he has written to you and the victims and survivors groups and that all the necessary amendments have now been made to the final draft of the Historical Institutional Abuse Bill.

The victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse suffered grievously while in care. They have waited years on redress and the necessary supports.

We are calling on you to take the necessary steps to enact the much-needed legislation as expeditiously as possible.

We look forward to your response.

Yours,

Arlene Foster MLA, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party

Michelle O’Neill MLA, Assembly Leader and Vice-President of Sinn Féin

Robin Swann MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

Colum Eastwood MLA, Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party

Naomi Long MEP, Leader of the Alliance Party

Clare Bailey MLA, Leader of the Green Party

Claire Sugden MLA, Independent