Sinn Féin trades blows with British Government over ‘on-the-runs’

THE British Government and Sinn Féin spent yesterday attacking each other following the dramatic collapse of legislative proposals to deal with paramilitary fugitives, or “on-the-runs.”

Northern Secretary Peter Hain withdrew the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill from the Commons on Wednesday in the face of mounting opposition.

The bill was designed to ensure that those wanted for offences committed prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement would be free to return to the North if they wished.