Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said there is no excuse for the bill providing for an apology and compensation to victims of Historical Institutional Abuse not to clear Parliament before it dissolves for the election.

The South Belfast MLA stated: “I wrote to the Secretary of State last week and have been in touch with Peers to seek assurance that a bill providing for an apology and compensation for victims of Historical Institutional Abuse would clear Parliament before it dissolves for an election. The bill forcing the election cleared in just a matter of hours and, since all the preparatory work has been done, a Historical Institutional Abuse Bill could be put through swiftly too if there is a will to do so.

“There is no excuse for causing further delay and heartache to people who have already had to wait far too long already because of gridlock at Stormont. It is just cruel to force them to wait even longer because of gridlock at Westminster.

“The victims of abuse were also the victims of political failure from the outset. The notion that they could now be further victimised is an appalling injustice.

“I will continue to lobby to get a bill through and the redress scheme underway until dissolution, and victims can be assured that if I am elected to Westminster myself at the election I will prioritise their case from day one.”