British govt stands firm over on-the-runs amnesty
The British government tonight stuck by a controversial Bill which would keep people involved in paramilitary murders in the North out of jail after Sinn Féin dramatically withdrew support for it.
In a surprise move, Sinn Féin’s vice president Pat Doherty called on the British government to withdraw the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill which is currently winding its way through Westminster.
However, the rival nationalist SDLP claimed Sinn Féin’s move amounted to a humiliating climb-down by the party following its initially positive response to the legislation.
As he led a delegation of victims’ groups to meet Northern Secretary Peter Hain, Mr Doherty said the legislation was too far removed from an agreement with the Government at Weston Park in 2001 which would have enabled republicans who have been on-the-run since the Troubles, to return home.
The West Tyrone MP said: “We are now calling for it to be rejected and we are withdrawing from anything to do with it”.
Mr Doherty also revealed they would be advising on-the-run republicans not to seek registration under the legislation should it go through.
Under the legislation, the British government envisaged people who have been living abroad to avoid arrest, or people suspected of murders before the Good Friday Agreement, applying to a certification commissioner to ensure they are not sent to prison if they set foot in Northern Ireland.
The commissioner would then ask the police if the person was suspected of crimes.
If an individual is, he or she would be issued with a certificate guaranteeing they would not be arrested.
The certificate would also set in train a special tribunal, with its own judge and prosecutors, who would examine the offence the person is alleged to have committed.
If the person is found guilty, he or she will receive a special licence similar to that given to paramilitary prisoners released under the Good Friday Agreement guaranteeing they will remain free unless they offend again.
Victims and human rights groups, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, unionists, SDLP and the cross community Alliance Party condemned the legislation for failing to compel those accused of offences to face their victims during the tribunal hearings.
Last week during the House of Commons committee stage, Northern Ireland Office minister David Hanson conceded the Government may have to amend the legislation.
Sinn Féin also faced a barrage of criticism from the SDLP over the revelation that the Bill will also cover members of the security forces who colluded with loyalist paramilitaries in murders during the Troubles.
Urging the British government to scrap the legislation and stick to what was agreed, Mr Doherty 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.
There was a cool response from the Northern Ireland Office.
A spokesman said: “There is no other vehicle for dealing with the on-the-runs and Sinn Féin are deluding themselves if they think there is.”
