Blair concedes amnesty will cause anguish

CONTROVERSIAL legislation granting an amnesty to Northern Ireland terrorists on the run would cause “anger and anguish”, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday.

But he said the new law, due to be given its second reading in the Commons today, was needed to give momentum to the stalled peace process.

Under the legislation, those wanted by police for offences committed before the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998 will have their slate wiped clean, just as those held in jail for such offences have been released.