NI's first minister Robinson pulls back from threat to resign

North first minister Peter Robinson has lifted his threat to resign over thecontroversy about on-the-run republicans after accepting the terms of a judicial review into the issue announced by British prime minister David Cameron.

The Democratic Unionist leader stepped back from the brink after claiming assurances he had received from the British government about letters sent to more than 180 individuals — advising them they could return to Northern Ireland without fear of prosecution — had rendered them effectively “worthless”.

In response to Mr Cameron’s announcement, Mr Robinson said: “I very much welcome the judge-led inquiry that he announced and I am happy with the terms of reference that have since been set out in the government statement.”