Northern Ireland’s first minister Peter Robinson says he will not quit after David Cameron announced an inquiry into letters of assurance given to republican terror suspects.
Details of 187 letters sent to so-called “on-the-run” republicans, assuring them that they would not face prosecution by the British authorities, emerged when the trial of John Downey over the the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing collapsed.
The Democratic Unionist Party leader had said he would walk away from Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive if a judicial inquiry was not called and the letters rescinded.
At a press conference today, he confirmed he intended to stay in his post and welcomed David Cameron’s announcement that a judge will carry out an independent review of the scheme.
Mr Robinson said: “I very much welcome the judge-led inquiry that he announced. I am happy with the terms of reference that have since been set out.
He added: “I am satisfied with the response that I got from government. I think the prime minister and the secretary of state have been prompt. They have dealt with the issue seriously and in a manner that is satisfactory to me, so yes, I do not intend to resign.”
He said a statement from the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, which said the letters could not be relied upon to avoid police question or prosecution, rendered them “fairly worthless”.
Ms Villiers said in the statement: “The letters did not amount to immunity, exemption or amnesty from arrest. The letters made this clear. That remains the case. No recipient of such a letter should be in any doubt that if evidence emerges in the future in connection with terrorist offences committed before the Belfast Agreement they will be liable for arrest and prosecution.”
The first minister had given Westminster a dramatic 24-hour ultimatum to respond before a session of the Northern Ireland Assembly on Friday.
Mr Robinson has denied all knowledge of the letters – although critics have suggested that leading unionists were aware of negotiations between Westminster and Sinn Fein over the issue of “on-the-runs” during the peace process.
The prime minister said he accepted calls for a “full, independent examination” of the process, saying: “We will appoint an independent judge to produce a full public account of the operation of this administrative scheme to determine whether any other letters were sent in error.”
The judge will be given “full access to government files and officials” and will report by the end May, Mr Cameron said, with the findings being published
Details of the deal struck by Tony Blair’s government with Sinn Fein over “on-the-run” suspects emerged during the failed prosecution of 62-year-old Downey, from Donegal, Ireland, for the murder four soldiers in the 1982 bombing.
The judge threw out the case against him because government officials mistakenly sent him a letter in 2007 telling him he was no longer a wanted man.
In fact, while the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were not interested in pursuing Downey, there was still an outstanding warrant for his arrest on the mainland.
Read more: Northern Ireland's 'secret' letters: the key questions
Mr Cameron called the sending of the letter a “dreadful mistake made by the PSNI”.
He added: “When we came to power in 2010, we inherited a process where letters were sent, setting out the factual position on whether or not some individuals were wanted for questioning by the police.
“This process continued under this government. There was never any amnesty or guarantee of immunity for anyone, and there isn’t now.”
He went on: “It is right that we take swift action but let us also remember that Northern Ireland has made great strides forward as a result of the peace process.
“It is vital that we deal properly with the events of the past but make sure this never undermines our determination to build a shared and prosperous future for the next generation so that we never again return to the horrors of the past.”
Downing Street said the inquiry’s terms of reference would be to produce a full public account of the operation and the extent of the administrative scheme for the on-the-runs, to determine whether any letters that were sent contained errors, and to make recommendations on these and related matters.
The judge will be able to review all the documentation and to invite people for interview, but will not be able to compel witnesses to attend. Those that do will not be questioned on oath.
No.10 said that all serving government ministers and officials asked to attend would do so but it would be up to former ministers and officials to decided to make themselves available.
Meanwhile, up to 500 people are expected to attend a homecoming party for John Downey in Donegal, after he spent nine months in prison awaiting trial.