Sinn Féin reject amnesty move for 'on the runs'

Sinn Féin today rejected the legislation which is supposed to give republicans on the run an amnesty.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain was urged to withdraw the legislation during a meeting with Sinn Féin at Stormont.

Party vice president Pat Doherty, MP for West Tyrone, led a delegation of party members and victims' groups to meet Mr Hain to give their views on the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill which is currently going through Parliament.

Mr. Doherty said that the legislation was “so far removed” from an agreement made during talks with the Government at Weston Park in 2001 that “we are now calling for it to be rejected and we are withdrawing from anything to do with it”.

Mr Doherty revealed that they would also be advising republicans on the run not to seek registration under the legislation should it go through.

Up to 150 so-called 'on the runs' including terrorist killers will be free to return home without fear of being charged or imprisoned if the legislation is passed.

Sinn Féin initially welcomed it when it was published by the Government but now realise it will not only give an amnesty to IRA members but also to any soldiers or police officers who committed murder during 30 years of violence.

Urging the British Government to scrap the legislation and stick to what was agreed, he said: “There are no British ground forces on the run.

“It was sleight of hand and inexcusable to bring that aspect into the legislation. It was not agreed at Weston Park. And it is not acceptable and needs to be rejected.”

Mr Doherty said Sinn Féin had been in contact with many of those on the run before making the decision to reject the legislation.