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On the Runs: Lady Justice Hallett's review findings due On the Runs scheme 'not amnesty and lawful' says judge
(about 14 hours later)
The findings of a judge's review into secret letters issued to republican terrorism suspects - so-called On the Runs - assuring them they were no longer wanted, are to be published. Letters issued to republican terrorism suspects - so-called On the Runs - were not an amnesty and the scheme was lawful, a judge has found.
Lady Justice Hallett's review was ordered by PM David Cameron. Lady Justice Hallett's review, ordered by PM David Cameron, found "significant systemic failures" in how it operated.
The scheme was made public when the trial collapsed of a man suspected of the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.The scheme was made public when the trial collapsed of a man suspected of the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.
Police in Northern Ireland mistakenly told John Downey in 2007 that he was no longer being sought by Scotland Yard. John Downey was wrongly told he was not wanted by any UK police force. However, he was still being sought by the Met.
Although police soon realised they had made a mistake, the assurance to the County Donegal man was never withdrawn. 'Catastrophic mistake'
The revelations sparked a political outcry, with Mr Cameron calling it a "dreadful mistake" and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson threatening to resign. Lady Justice Hallett said the letter to him was the result of a "catastrophic mistake" by police in Northern Ireland.
The police had realised they had made a mistake, but the assurance to the County Donegal man was never withdrawn.
"Nothing in law or logic" explained their failure to rectify the error, Lady Justice Hallett said.
She found that while the scheme was not a secret deal, it was kept "below the radar" because of political sensitivities.
There was enough information in the public domain for anyone keeping a close eye on Northern Ireland affairs to have known there was such as scheme, she said.
The report, published on Thursday, also found that letters were issued in error to two other republican terror suspects.
Lady Justice Hallett also found:
The terms of reference of Lady Justice Hallett's review were to produce a full public account of the operation and extent of the scheme, and to determine whether any letters contained errors.The terms of reference of Lady Justice Hallett's review were to produce a full public account of the operation and extent of the scheme, and to determine whether any letters contained errors.
The judge did not have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.The judge did not have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.
Her report and any recommendations are to be outlined in parliament by Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers at about 11:15 BST on Thursday. Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said: "This scheme was wrong in principle and shambolic in practice. There were a series of errors that need to be rectified.
"At the heart of the issue is what happens next?"
Early releaseEarly release
Mr Downey denies any involvement in the bombing that killed four soldiers. The judge's review will not affect the attorney general's decision against appealing the case.
The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement of 1998 meant anyone convicted of paramilitary crimes was eligible for early release from prison.The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement of 1998 meant anyone convicted of paramilitary crimes was eligible for early release from prison.
However, this did not cover those suspected of such crimes, nor did it cover people who had been charged or convicted, but who had escaped from prison.However, this did not cover those suspected of such crimes, nor did it cover people who had been charged or convicted, but who had escaped from prison.
Sinn Féin sought a scheme that would allow escaped prisoners and those who were concerned they might be arrested to return to the UK, but a formal legal solution proved difficult to establish in the face of strong unionist opposition.Sinn Féin sought a scheme that would allow escaped prisoners and those who were concerned they might be arrested to return to the UK, but a formal legal solution proved difficult to establish in the face of strong unionist opposition.
In addition to the Hallett Review, MPs at Westminster's Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee have been holding public evidence sessions to look at the scheme.In addition to the Hallett Review, MPs at Westminster's Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee have been holding public evidence sessions to look at the scheme.
Witnesses who have appeared before the committee include former Northern Ireland secretaries Peter Hain and Paul Murphy, current and former senior police officers, former detectives involved in administering the scheme and relatives of victims of the Troubles.Witnesses who have appeared before the committee include former Northern Ireland secretaries Peter Hain and Paul Murphy, current and former senior police officers, former detectives involved in administering the scheme and relatives of victims of the Troubles.
Separately, police in Northern Ireland are reviewing the process that led to the issuing of the letters.Separately, police in Northern Ireland are reviewing the process that led to the issuing of the letters.
Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable George Hamilton said on Thursday: "I want to reiterate PSNI's apology for the additional pain the families have had to endure as a result the failure to secure justice for their loved ones."
He added: "Police have an ongoing responsibility to review evidence, and as is always the case, where new evidence exists, we will investigate and present the information to the prosecuting authorities.
"This specific piece of review work is both time and resource intensive and will be conducted diligently over the coming years."