North: Police anger at plan for returning fugitives

The British government was under fire from police officers’ representatives in the North today over a Bill which would enable rogue members of the security forces and paramilitaries to avoid jail sentences for offences committed during the Troubles.

In a letter to Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Security Minister Shaun Woodward, the Police Federation described as unacceptable legislation which would enable paramilitaries who fled the North to avoid arrest to return home safe in the knowledge that they will never be jailed.

The letter from Police Federation of Northern Ireland secretary Terry Spence also insisted police and soldiers suspected of offences should, along with paramilitaries, face the courts instead of a special tribunal proposed by the British government.

The minister was told: “The Federation is totally and absolutely opposed to any moves by (British) government to allow on-the-runs to return to this jurisdiction for what would in essence be a rubber stamp sentence without fear of incarceration for their heinous crimes.

“We know these views are shared by the RUC George Cross Widows’ Association and the dependants of police officers.

“This can only be a political decision by the (British) government and one which we as police officers find totally distasteful and morally reprehensible.

“Furthermore, the Federation objects strongly to any suggestion that the application of the new legislation to police officers and security force personnel is a sustainable quid pro quo in relation to the IRA and other paramilitary terrorists.

“In the Federation’s view, the rule of law is absolute and that police officers, security force personnel, terrorists and other criminals who have committed crimes and acts of terrorism should be brought before the courts and if convicted, serve appropriate sentences.

“Your inclusion of police officers and indeed military personnel within this sphere of justification for this legislation is totally unacceptable.”

Under the British government’s Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, on-the-run terror suspects as well as civilians, police and soldiers suspected of crimes before 1998 will have to apply to a certification commissioner to qualify for the scheme.

If, after consulting the police, the commissioner discovers applicants are wanted for specific offences, their cases will be referred to a special tribunal with Crown Court powers which will consider the evidence against them and rule on their guilt or innocence.

Applicants will not be required to attend the open hearings and will be given a certificate guaranteeing they will not be arrested, questioned about the offence or held in remand during the process.

If the tribunal finds them guilty, they will be issued with a licence similar to that given to prisoners released early under the Good Friday Agreement.

Opposition parties at Westminster, unionists, moderate nationalists and victims’ groups have accused the British government of issuing an amnesty and denying victims the chance to face in court those accused of killing their loved ones.

NIO Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson denied last night that it was an amnesty.

“I can understand the difficulties people have, but sometimes it is necessary to make difficult decisions in the interests of entrenching the benefits of peace,” he said.

“This is not an amnesty. Those applying under the scheme will be prosecuted and could be found guilty and be sentenced in a judicial process.

“They will, however, be released under licence like prisoners were under the Good Friday Agreement.”