Plan to allow on-the-runs return to North referred to EU

GOVERNMENT plans to allow on-the-run terrorists suspected of crimes to return home to the North are being referred to the European Commission, it was announced last night.

Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister has written to the Justice Commissioner inviting him to consider whether the ‘On the Runs’ (OTRs) Bill is in accordance with Europe’s level of expectation in regard to the protection of the human rights of victims.

At the same time, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission voiced its concerns about the legislation directly with the Northern Ireland Security Minister David Hanson.