Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is in line for "a pay day from the taxpayer" under plans to repeal the Legacy Act, a report backed by several peers has stated.

Keir Starmer has promised to ‘look at every conceivable way to prevent’ the former Sinn Fein leader receiving compensation. John Rentoul looks at how the possibility arose in the first place

A thinktank backed by 16 peers has criticised the government's plan to lift a ban on compensation for unlawful detention during the Troubles.

Mr Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA. A clause in the act currently blocks payouts to him and about 400 other people also interned. Labour, which has begun the process of repealing the act, said the previous government's approach to legacy was "almost universally opposed in Northern Ireland".

The UK Prime Minister said he is aiming to stop Adams claiming damages for his internment during the Troubles.

Gerry Adams will be eligible for a bumper payout if Sir Keir Starmer 's Government scraps a block on compensation for people interned during the Troubles, a think tank has warned. And the daughter of a police officer killed by the IRA in 1983 has described the move as "highly unacceptable".

Sir Keir Starmer said he was looking at ‘every conceivable way’ to prevent compensation being paid to Mr Adams and others interned in the Troubles.

Why is Gerry Adams in line for a ‘pay day from the taxpayer’ if Legacy Act repealed? BBC NI Crime and Justice Correspondent Julian O'Neill explains.

Conservative Kemi Badenoch said in the Commons it was 'shameful' Sir Keir is proposing to 'write a cheque to compensate Gerry Adams'. Sir Keir was grilled on the prospect of the former Sinn Fein leader receiving a payout during PMQs.