Blair defends 'painful' amnesty for fugitives
Moves to deal with “on the run” terrorists will cause “pain and anguish” to victims but are vital to the North's peace process, Tony Blair insisted today.
The Prime Minister said he would be meeting widows of murdered police officers this afternoon – as MPs debate the controversial measures.
But he faced criticism from one Unionist MP who compared the actions with offering an amnesty to those who shot Pc Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford on Friday.
“What would the British people…think of you if you offered an amnesty to the murderer of the police officer?” asked David Simpson (DUP Upper Bann).
“I am meeting with the RUC widows this afternoon and I totally understand the pain and anguish there will be,” Mr Blair told him.
“I hope that you will also understand this is something that has to be dealt with.”
The British government argues that the new law, due to be given its second reading in the Commons today, is needed to give momentum to the stalled peace process.
Under the legislation, those wanted by police for offences committed before the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998 will have their slate effectively wiped clean.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said the terrorists should be forced to appear in court.
“Surely if justice is to be seen to be done it is imperative that those who have committed those terrorist atrocities appear in court and answer for their crime?” he asked.
“Why won’t you put the victims of terrorism higher up the priority list?”
Mr Blair said the move was needed to move the peace process on.
“If it (the peace process) does succeed, and we have come a long way in eight years, it is sometimes because we do things that are uncomfortable and difficult but nonetheless necessary.
“It is called, I’m afraid, making difficult political decisions.”
