Troubles amnesty proposals to be subject of US Congress hearing

British government proposals for a Troubles amnesty are to be the subject of a hearing at the US Congress, which will be held later this month.

The UK proposals would result in a de facto amnesty and shut down all legal avenues for Troubles cases including civil actions and inquests.

It will now be the subject of an evidence gathering session by a Congress commission.

"Witnesses will analyse the proposed law and examine its consequences for victims of the conflict," a statement said.

The hearing will take evidence from a former senior police officer who's investigating legacy includes cases linked to a suspected IRA double agent.

Jon Boutcher is the head of Operation Kenova, which is examining the activities of an alleged agent called Stakeknife and the actions of his security force handlers.

Its inquiry centres on murders and other violent crime for which he may have been responsible.

The inquiry will also hear from groups working with the injured and relatives of those murdered during the Troubles.

They include Relatives for Justice, the Wave Trauma Centre and the Committee on the Administration of Justice.

Geraldine Finucane, widow of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, will also give evidence.

The hearing will be held by Congress' Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission - a bi-partisan body focused on promoting and defending international human rights and is scheduled for 15 February.

The announcement came on the day that a highly critical report by Northern Ireland's police ombudsman found evidence of "collusive behaviours" by RUC officers linked to 11 loyalist murders in Belfast in the 1990s.

Those families have demanded that someone is held accountable for their loved ones' murders.

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis is flying to the United States for talks in the days ahead with Irish-American politicians.

News of the hearing was welcomed by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the US, which had lobbied for it.

The Tom Lantos Commission has held a number of previous hearings on NI related matters.