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

Sir Keir Starmer said he was looking at ‘every conceivable way’ to prevent compensation being paid to Mr Adams and others interned in the Troubles.

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.

We will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases claiming damages,” Sir Keir Starmer told the House of Commons on Wednesday, referring to Adams and hundreds of others who were interned over the period.

The Prime Minister spoke after criticism of the Government’s proposed repeal of legislation that had put a stop to such civil claims.

Gerry Adams is in line for taxpayer-funded compensation because of Sir Keir Starmer’s human rights plans, senior peers have warned.