Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA has demanded answers from the Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Office following revelations that over 350 Royal Prerogatives of Mercy were issued between 1979 and 2002.
Mr Elliott said:
"I am extremely surprised at a number of aspects of this information, which was revealed at Westminster in answer to a question buy the Labour MP Kate Hoey.
“With over 365 pardons being issued between 1979 and 2002 – and that’s not even counting those which may have been issue between 1987 and 1997 for which records are lost – it is clear we are not dealing with one or two isolated and exceptional cases.
“We urgently need to know who received the Royal Prerogatives of Mercy, who recommended they be issued and how many of these people were terrorists.
“Coming so soon after the announcement that 'Letters of Comfort' were issued to the 'On the Runs', this has the potential to further shake people’s faith and confidence in the justice system. One wonders what else is out there that we do not know about.
“The Secretary of State and the NIO must provide clarity and certainty as a matter of urgency.”