A proposal to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Northern Ireland from 10 to 14 has been blocked by a unionist veto mechanism in the Assembly. Enough MLAs signed a petition of concern to prevent the change from passing.

The amendment to the Justice Bill was tabled by Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland. It would have set the age at 14 for most offences, with a lower age of 12 for the most serious crimes of murder, manslaughter and rape.

A petition of concern, a mechanism created under the peace process, means that a vote requires majority support from both unionist and nationalist designations rather than a simple majority. The petition was signed by DUP and TUV MLAs, along with four Ulster Unionists, reaching the required 30 signatures. Since a majority of unionists have already opposed the amendment, its rejection is expected.

John O’Doherty of the Children’s Law Centre, speaking for the Ten Is Too Young Coalition, described the use of the petition as deeply disappointing and a misuse of a device intended to protect minority rights. He said the result would be that vulnerable children continue to be criminalised, and warned that such actions could undermine public confidence in the Assembly.