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12/06/2014
PM: Royal Pardons Difficult Decisions By Previous Govts
David Cameron has told the House of Commons the royal pardons given to terrorist suspects by previous governments were difficult decisions he did not want to unpick. The Prime Minister was responding to the revelation that royal pardons were given secretly to paramilitaries in Northern Ireland in return of information from 1980.
DUP MP Nigel Dodds called on the government on Wednesday to name those who had been given pardons in the "interests of openness". Mr Cameron said he would consider his request.
NI Secretary Theresa Villiers said on Tuesday that naming them would be wrong and, in an interview with BBC Radio 4, said it was an argument for making details public in future cases.
Royal Prerogatives of Mercu (RPM) were used in 16 terrorism-related cases following the Good Friday Agreement.
The RPM, commonly known as a royal pardon, allows changes in sentences without the backing of, or consultation with, Parliament.
NI First Minister Peter Robinson has called for the RPM issue to be included in the judge-led inquiry into the On the Runs controversy.
(CVS/IT)
DUP MP Nigel Dodds called on the government on Wednesday to name those who had been given pardons in the "interests of openness". Mr Cameron said he would consider his request.
NI Secretary Theresa Villiers said on Tuesday that naming them would be wrong and, in an interview with BBC Radio 4, said it was an argument for making details public in future cases.
Royal Prerogatives of Mercu (RPM) were used in 16 terrorism-related cases following the Good Friday Agreement.
The RPM, commonly known as a royal pardon, allows changes in sentences without the backing of, or consultation with, Parliament.
NI First Minister Peter Robinson has called for the RPM issue to be included in the judge-led inquiry into the On the Runs controversy.
(CVS/IT)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Staying cold. Any freezing fog that has formed overnight will slowly thin and disperse during the morning. Otherwise dry and bright much of the day with perhaps the odd coastal shower in the north and east. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Dry at first with cloud thickening from the south through the evening. The odd shower, wintry over high ground, over northern counties, becoming more persistent rain over Down and Antrim. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
