Northern Ireland's Police Federation has described as "unacceptable" British government plans to enable rogue members of the security forces and paramilitaries to avoid jail for offences committed during the Troubles.
Northern Ireland Police Federation
In a letter to Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Security Minister Shaun Woodward, the group insisted police and British soldiers suspected of offences should, along with paramilitaries, face the courts instead of a special tribunal proposed by the British government.
"The Federation is totally and absolutely opposed to any moves by government to allow on-the-runs to return to this jurisdiction for what would in essence be a rubber stamp sentence without fear of incarceration for their heinous crimes," the letter said.
"This can only be a political decision by the government and one which we as police officers find totally distasteful and morally reprehensible.
"Furthermore, the Federation objects strongly to any suggestion that the application of the new legislation to police officers and security force personnel is a sustainable quid-pro-quo in relation to the IRA and other paramilitary terrorists," the letter said.
"In the Federation's view, the rule of law is absolute and that police officers, security force personnel, terrorists and other criminals who have committed crimes and acts of terrorism should be brought before the courts and if convicted, serve appropriate sentences.
Northern Ireland Office Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson denied last night that it was an amnesty. "I can understand the difficulties people have, but sometimes it is necessary to make difficult decisions in the interests of entrenching the benefits of peace," he said.
"This is not an amnesty. Those applying under the scheme will be prosecuted and could be found guilty and be sentenced in a judicial process.
"They will, however, be released under licence like prisoners were under the Good Friday Agreement."
Similar measures for those suspected of paramilitary offences in the Republic before the 1998 Agreement were unveiled by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell yesterday.
Additional reporting PA