Poll shows majority of Northerners oppose OTR measures

A majority of people in the North oppose plans to allow paramilitary fugitives to return without fear of imprisonment, according to an opinion poll published today.

Almost two-thirds of respondents to the Belfast Telegraph-MORI poll said they opposed the plans, with less than one-quarter describing them as acceptable.

Meanwhile, Northern Secretary Peter Hain is due to be questioned on the legislation paving the way for the move in the House of Commons today.

Yesterday, Ulster Unionist and Conservative Party MPs agreed to jointly fight the legislation in the House of Lords.

All of the North's political parties oppose the measure, which had been demanded by Sinn Féin to deal with IRA fugitives wanted for crimes committed before the Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Féin decided to withdraw its support after the British government decided to allow members of the security forces accused of colluding with loyalists to be covered by the legislation.