UK Government ‘profoundly regrets’ legal action by Irish against Legacy Act

The UK Government “profoundly regrets” a move by the Irish to legally challenge its legislation to deal with Northern Ireland’s troubled past.

In a statement, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris slammed the case as “unnecessary” and warned it came at a “particularly sensitive time in Northern Ireland”.

“It did not need to be taken now, given the issues are already before the UK courts,” Mr Heaton-Harris said.

But earlier, Irish premier Leo Varadkar said his government was left with “no option” but to legally challenge the UK Government over the Legacy Act.

The Taoiseach said the “strong” legal advice was that the UK