Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Attorney General Suella Braverman QC, to suggest that the United Kingdom should host a legal co-ordinating office to collate evidence of potential war crimes in Ukraine.

Lord Empey said:

“I have written to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Attorney General Suella Braverman QC, to suggest that the United Kingdom should host a legal co-ordinating office to bring together all the evidence that is currently being gathered in Ukraine of potential war crimes and atrocities carried out by Russia during its unprovoked offensive.

“I have further suggested that such an office should be established in Northern Ireland, for reasons set out in the letter.

“Russia is not bound by a number of Treaties that establish worldwide standards of behaviour – Russia is not bound by the International Criminal Court at the Hague, for example, and there must be international co-operation to gather and process evidence from the battlefield and ruins of Ukraine.

“I believe the people of Northern Ireland would welcome the opportunity to see such an office established here. With our international connections and a strong tradition of producing excellent lawyers, I believe we could really make a difference and prevent future atrocities being committed by other dictators by ensuring that perpetrators of war crimes are brought to justice.”