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

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.

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

There is unrest within the UK Parliament at the idea of former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams benefitting from the compensation scheme.

It is believed Gerry Adams will pursue a compensation bid if the Legacy Act is repealed.

Keir Starmer has said he would look at "every conceivable way" to block the former Sinn Féin MP and leader from receiving a payout.

Forgotten victims’ say repealing Troubles legislation would be ‘perverse’ and ‘destabilise reconciliation within the legacy’

A Government source has suggested compensation for Troubles internees could be capped at £1 after a right-wing think tank claimed Gerry Adams could be in for a “taxpayer-funded payday”.

Sir Keir Starmer was speaking in the House of Commons after the Conservatives said it was "shameful" that repealing the Legacy Act could put Mr Adams in line for a "cheque". The Legacy Act presently blocks him - and many others interned without trial in the 1970s - from claiming compensation for unlawful detention.

Lord Hermer, the Attorney General friend of the PM, refuses to say whether he profited from work with the Sinn Fein president

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.