On-the-run letters ‘of no legal value’

Northern Ireland’s chief prosecutor has said letters to on-the-run republicans telling them they are not wanted by police are of no value to perpetrators.

DPP Barra McGrory said the assurances were not an impediment to prosecution if new evidence emerges and described the government scheme as flawed.

He added that he did not believe any leading members of Sinn Féin had received the messages as part of a peace process system for telling people living outside the UK that they were not sought for conflict crimes.