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Labour ministers are accused of betrayal over the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Labour ministers are accused of betrayal over the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Labour ministers were accused of 'betrayal' on Monday night after MPs warned they were not given enough time to debate the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Critics said the Bill – replacing the Tories' Legacy Act, which gave soldiers immunity against vexatious prosecutions – cannot be properly scrutinised after it returned to Parliament on Monday.

Furious former top brass and MPs also criticised the scheduling, claiming crucial amendments would not be assessed effectively.

They said the Bill threatened to 'weaponise' the law against troops and let lawyers representing IRA paramilitaries use loopholes to bring cases that drag soldiers to court repeatedly.

It came after the Troubles Bill returned to the Commons with more than 300 amendments proposed by the Government and its opponents. 

Retired generals Sir Nick Parker and Sir Peter Wall said: 'Ministers' professed 'unshakeable' commitment to those very people who fought the IRA to a standstill is a sham.

'Our only hope now is to seek amendments when the Bill moves to the Lords. There is more than a whiff of betrayal around this Bill.'

Tory Northern Ireland spokesman Alex Burghart described Government claims that the Bill had been given optimal time to be debated as 'laughable'.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch met veterans in Parliament Square on Monday

He told MPs: 'This is one of the most complex and controversial pieces of legislation this House will debate in this Parliament. Yet the House will have very little time for detailed scrutiny.'

Tory MP Julian Smith agreed, saying: 'We are going to consider over 300 amendments in two days. This is a ridiculous situation. This is people's lives.'

But Northern Ireland minister Sarah Owen said: 'Almost three decades on from the Good Friday Agreement, the issue of the legacy of the Troubles remains unresolved. After years of bereaved families being let down, this may be our last chance to get it right.'

Labour claims the Bill is necessary because the Legacy Act was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

It was introduced to Parliament last year following agreement on a joint framework with the Irish government.

However, Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant conceded in the Commons that a Sinn Fein government in Dublin could scrap the deal.

Veterans are also opposed to the Bill as several inquests previously stayed by the Legacy Act are set to continue.

Labour claimed the Bill would 'significantly reduce' the prospect of veterans facing 'rinse and repeat' investigations.

It leaves the decision on new criminal probes into soldiers' actions with the Attorney General. Veterans want it made by a Supreme Court judge as the Attorney General is a political appointee who may not be unbiased.

QUENTIN LETTS: The veterans, some superbly whiskered, stiffened their spines as Kipling was quoted 

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Questions are continuing to mount over Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson's secret split after the high-profile pair appeared to continue flaunting their relationship – months after supposedly calling it a day.

A bombshell TMZ report on Friday night revealed the age-gap romance came to an end 'late last year,' with the pair somehow managing to keep their break-up a secret for almost a year.

Late on Friday night, a separate report from USA Today claimed that UNC staffers had been 'caught off-guard' by news of Belichick and Hudson's split, with two anonymous employees admitting they were 'not aware' of the relationship breaking down. 

Hudson has still been a mainstay at North Carolina football games this season, appearing by Belichick's side through thick and thin, both in Chapel Hill and on the road – even as recently as this month.

Reports claim they are still 'close friends' and 'remain committed to their business partnerships,' with Hudson listed as a director for multiple companies. That is despite the outlet reporting that she has since moved on and has dated multiple men this year.

So why, then, is there a wealth of loved-up photos taken in 2026, given their supposed romantic split back in the latter stages of 2025?

Jordon Hudson referred to 'Bill the WAG' in April, long after they had apparently broken up

As recently as this month, the cheerleader has been a constant presence at Belichick's side

The 'former' couple held hands at the Kentucky Derby in May, after their split back in 2025 

At high-profile sporting events and in private moments, the Daily Mail has dug out a series of snaps that show all might not be exactly as it seems between the legendary football coach, 74, and the ex-girlfriend 49 years his junior.  

Perhaps the most confusing display of public affection came back in May at the Kentucky Derby, supposedly up to six months after they had called time on their romance.

After flying Hudson out on a private jet to the historic horse racing event at Churchill Downs, a suited-and-booted Belichick held her by the hand as they walked on the course.

Doubling down, Hudson later posted two photos to her social media, alongside the caption: 'Not the first time we've trudged through the mud together,' complete with a pink love heart. 

In the photos, the pair are beaming, with Belichick's shirt and tie closely matching Hudson's dress.

Another social media post from a month earlier raises yet more eyebrows, after Belichick took time out from his busy football schedule to support Hudson's own sporting endeavor.

Playing the role of doting boyfriend, Belichick cheered Hudson on at her US Worlds Trials, in which she and her 'Cheer Extreme Code Black' team were crowned champion.

Cameras captured their arms intertwined as they watched basketball together in February

The former couple reportedly remain friends and are committed to their business relationship

A cozy red carpet display at Churchill Downs in May came at least five months after their split

In the aftermath, Hudson posted a selfie of the pair, labeling Belichick 'Bill the WAG' while he wore a t-shirt carrying the name of her cheer squad. The term WAG – short for 'wife and girlfriend' – seemingly hinted that their romance was going strong.

Shortly before that April adventure, Belichick and Hudson had spent time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, attending a basketball game one night on campus.

While nothing was posted on social media by either of them, photographers captured the pair with their arms intertwined as they sat in the bleachers to watch the action.

This, it should be noted, occurred two months into 2026 and long after they had apparently ended their high-profile relationship.

In recent months, Hudson's Instagram account has been dormant, with no new posts in 25 weeks and the most recent photo dump being the loved-up Kentucky Derby appearance.

Despite no images from the source, Hudson has still been closely involved in Belichick's life, appearing in photos taken at at least three of UNC's games just this month.

A report late on Friday claimed UNC staffers had no idea the pair had split before TMZ's reveal

Fans have taken to calling Hudson the 'First Lady of UNC Football' due to her regular presence

Last time out, the Tar Heels lost in overtime to Syracuse, and Hudson was seen in multiple fan photos taking selfies on the sideline in a stylish pink suit.

In one post, she was labeled the 'First Lady of UNC Football' as she grinned for snaps with young supporters. 

Seven days earlier, she traveled to Durham, North Carolina with the team for the rivalry game against Duke, which ended with a huge win for Belichick and his players.

At the end of the game, Hudson appeared to cozy up to Belichick as they laughed and walked down the tunnel together.

On October 3, meanwhile, she was again on the sideline again as UNC suffered a loss to No 5 ranked Notre Dame, also at Chapel Hill. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the pair for comment. 

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