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Royal prerogative of mercy: Over 350 issued in Northern Ireland Royal prerogative of mercy: Over 350 issued in Northern Ireland
(35 minutes later)
More than 350 royal prerogatives of mercy have been issued in Northern Ireland over the past 35 years, it has been revealed.More than 350 royal prerogatives of mercy have been issued in Northern Ireland over the past 35 years, it has been revealed.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers disclosed that 365 Royal pardons had been issued between 1979 and 2002. Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers disclosed that 365 royal pardons had been issued between 1979 and 2002.
The figures was revealed in an answer to a question from MP Kate Hoey. The figures was given in an answer to a question from MP Kate Hoey.
There are no figures for ten years between 1987 and 1997, as the records have apparently been lost.There are no figures for ten years between 1987 and 1997, as the records have apparently been lost.
It is not clear how many of those pardoned were members of paramilitary groups, or what proportion, if any, were members of the security forces.It is not clear how many of those pardoned were members of paramilitary groups, or what proportion, if any, were members of the security forces.
Miss Hoey said she was "shocked" at the disclosures. The Royal Prerogative of Mercy, commonly known as a royal pardon, allows changes in sentences without the backing of, or consultation with, Parliament.
"I find it unbelievable that so many people in such a short space of time were given pardons," she said. Transparency
"I want to know who all these people are. I think that the public will want to know who these people are." Miss Hoey said she was "astonished" at the disclosures.
The Royal Prerogative of Mercy allows changes in sentences without the backing of, or consultation with, Parliament. "I'm astonished first of all at the numbers involved, but also at the fact that the government seems to have lost 10 years of records for something that is a hugely important thing," she said.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said: "'It is for those members of the previous government responsible at the time to explain how and in what circumstances they used the RPM (prerogatives of mercy). "The Queen presumably signs these, so how can they lose them?
"No RPM have been issued since the current government came to power in May 2010.' "We want to know how many more were issued and, more importantly, who they were issued to and why they were given a pardon.
"This is something the public need to know. We want transparency and honesty and this is neither honest or transparent."
Miss Hoey also questioned why the pardons were not publicly recorded, as is the practice in Great Britain.
Questions
"In England, when someone gets a royal pardon it traditionally has appeared in the London Gazette.
"There is also a Belfast Gazette, where one would have assumed the names would have appeared.
"That has not happened and when I asked those questions, the Secretary of State appears to be saying that it is not normal procedure in Northern Ireland.
"This is wrong because at that time policing and justice were not devolved to Northern Ireland so, again, there are a lot more questions to be asked."
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said: "It is for those members of the previous government responsible at the time to explain how and in what circumstances they used the RPM (royal prerogatives of mercy).
"No RPM have been issued since the current government came to power in May 2010.'