On the Runs: Peter Robinson welcomes NI suspects review
Peter Robinson said he was happy with the terms of reference of the inquiry First Minister Peter Robinson has welcomed the inquiry set up to look into the NI secret letters row.
Mr Robinson also said he was happy with the terms of reference for the inquiry.
He had threatened to resign over the issue of On the Runs, republican paramilitary suspects who were given assurances that they were not being sought by police.
Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed a judge to lead a review that will report by the end of May.
Mr Robinson said: "I am glad that the prime minister made the statement that he did today.
"I very much welcome the judge-led inquiry that he announced and I am happy with the terms of reference that have since been set out."
The DUP leader had made his resignation threat after the trial of Donegal man John Downey collapsed.
Mr Downey denied killing four soldiers in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.
Mr Robinson denied that the crisis had been manufactured, and said: "If Sinn Féin were on the phones in our office they would know there was nothing synthetic about our concern over this issue."
Mr Cameron tweeted after his announcement of the inquiry earlier on Thursday: "I have just spoken to Peter Robinson. I told him I shared his anger over the Downey letter - and was glad we have agreed on an inquiry."
On Wednesday, Mr Robinson called for the letters to be rescinded. He also called for a judicial inquiry.
He said he was not prepared to remain as first minister in a power-sharing government "kept in the dark" about the letters.
David Cameron has announced an independent judge-led review
On the Runs included anyone suspected of, but not charged with, paramilitary offences committed before the Good Friday Agreement. They also included those who had been charged or convicted with offences but who had escaped.
'Full access'Mr Cameron told a Downing Street press conference: "I agree with the first minister of Northern Ireland that after the terrible error of the Downey case it is right to get to the bottom of what happened.
"The case has already been referred to the Police Ombudsman, and, as the first minister has said, we should have a full independent examination of the whole operation of this scheme.
"We will appoint an independent judge to produce a full public account of the operation of this administrative scheme to determine whether any other letters were sent in error.
"The judge will have full access to government files and to government officials."
Mr Cameron said: "It is important to set out the facts of what has happened".
"When we came to power in 2010, we inherited a process where letters were sent, setting out the factual position on whether or not some individuals were wanted for questioning by the police.
"This process continued under this government. There was never any amnesty or guarantee of immunity for anyone, and there isn't now."
MisunderstandingHe added: "It is right that we take swift action, but let us also remember that Northern Ireland has made great strides forward as a result of the peace process.
"It is vital that we deal properly with the events of the past but make sure this never undermines our determination to build a shared and prosperous future for the next generation so that we never again return to the horrors of the past."
However, the chair of Westminster's Northern Ireland committee, Laurence Robertson, said that the committee is "minded" to carry out its own inquiry.
He said he thought the inquiry Mr Cameron announced seems to be "too narrow" and was "wanting".
The committee's full decision would depend on "what else" the government can do, Mr Robertson added.
Earlier on Thursday, Tony Blair's former chief of staff said the crisis in Northern Ireland is based on a misunderstanding.
Jonathan Powell said the argument over the letters is "misplaced".
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said all parties were aware of a scheme informing people they were no longer wanted by the police.
He said "information about this was in the political arena, and to a certain extent in the public domain".
Mr McGuinness also said that a meeting of the Policing Board in 2010 made clear that a scheme for On the Runs was in place.
"Everybody at that meeting knew that there was a scheme and that over a period of years that scheme was being proceeded with," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment