Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has called on the Government to rescind the ‘On The Run’ letters which were handed out to terror suspects as part of a secret deal between the Blair Government and Sinn Fein.

Doug Beattie MLA said:

“The recent public debate about the prospect of a Statute of Limitations as a possible mechanism of addressing the imbalance that exists in the treatment of former military and police personnel with regard to Troubles investigations, has once again brought the issue of the ‘On The Run’ letters of comfort centre stage.

“As I have said before, there is no question that the existing situation as it relates to Legacy is entirely unacceptable and unsatisfactory. It is not balanced, proportionate or fair.

“As it stands today, terrorist suspects are able to avail of shortened sentences - even for mass murder-  On The Run letters of comfort and the award of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. All the while former soldiers – many of them ill and elderly – are subjected to multiple investigations, arrests and interrogations.

“The Government needs to redress the imbalance and find a way to protect all those members of the security forces who stood between the terrorists and terrorised.

“One way of doing this would be to take steps to rescind the more than 220 OTR letters handed out to terror suspects as part of Tony Blair’s secret deal with Sinn Fein, and issue a clear statement confirming they have no legal status and that UK police forces are free to go after anyone suspected of any criminal activity.

“This would go some way to help address the imbalance and restore a measure of public confidence.”