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Written Question
Human Rights: Northern Ireland
Thursday 15th January 2026

Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of a) the findings and b) recommendations of the Windsor Framework Article 2: Enforcement and Remedies paper produced by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, on 16 December 2025.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I commend the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for their continued, important work in upholding human rights protections in Northern Ireland. This includes in their role as part of the Dedicated Mechanism, along with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, in monitoring the implementation of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, for which they receive dedicated funding. The Government welcomes this report and is considering its findings.

The interpretation and application of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework is currently being considered by the Supreme Court in Dillon and others. The Government awaits the court’s judgment.

Division Vote (Commons)
14 Jan 2026 - Public Order - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 1 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 110
Division Vote (Commons)
13 Jan 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 348 Noes - 167
Division Vote (Commons)
13 Jan 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Claire Hanna (SDLP) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Social Democratic & Labour Party No votes vs 0 Social Democratic & Labour Party Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 187 Noes - 351
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 13 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform

"Does the Minister acknowledge that at the time of the Good Friday agreement, the parties did not arrive together at consensus, and nor did they with the likes of the St Andrews agreement, when things were distorted? Does he agree that it is unusual for all the parties to arrive …..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 13 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform

"The hon. Gentleman asked me to intervene. Unfortunately, the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister) would not take my intervention, and I am sad about that. I was seeking to clarify whether his party’s position had moved from being the quite radical one—more radical than my position …..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 13 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform

"Will the right hon. Member confirm whether he believes that the Assembly has or should have responsibility for international affairs, which is included in the Windsor framework, and can he outline where cross-community consent for Brexit was demonstrated?..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 13 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform

"Who collapsed it?..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 13 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform

"rose—..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 13 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. I confess that I have not been in Westminster Hall for a while; I was watching the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) to see exactly when I should stand up. I thank the hon. Member for Lagan Valley …..."
Claire Hanna - View Speech

View all Claire Hanna (SDLP - Belfast South and Mid Down) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reform