MP calls for balance to address wrongs of the past
Today in the House of Commons, John pressed the Northern Ireland Secretary, Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, on the ‘letters of comfort’ issued to so-called ‘on the runs’. These letters were issued to a number of republican-supporting individuals, informing them that the Police would not arrest them were they to return to the United Kingdom. They came to the fore in February, where the trial of a terrorist suspect, John Downey, collapsed because he had wrongly received one of these letters. John served as a Platoon Commander in Northern Ireland in the 1980s.
In the House of Commons, John asked,
“In order to give lasting peace the best chance, there has to be balance and equity when addressing the past. Given the ‘on the run’ letters contrast with how some ex-soldiers fear they may be treated, will the Secretary of State look at the ongoing peace process in the round and ensure this balance is achieved?”
The Northern Ireland Secretary replied the letters did not amount to an amnesty or immunity from prosecution.
John said afterwards,
“The future is more important than the past, but developments such as these take us back to those troubled times. For the sake of a lasting peace, it is essential the Secretary of State ensures there is a balanced approach.”
Ends
Word Count: 230
Date: 2nd April 2014
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