Police target six IRA suspects issued 'comfort letters' by Tony Blair's government
Major new police investigations have been launched into six IRA terror suspects thought to be behind some of the worst atrocities committed on mainland Britain, it emerged today.
The alleged terrorists had all received so-called "comfort letters" under a controversial peace deal drawn up by Tony Blair telling them that they would not face arrest.
However, a leaked police document has revealed that detectives now believe the letters do not protect suspects from prosecution, according to the Telegraph.
The document reveals that police have identified six individuals suspected of carrying out terrorist attacks, which are believed to have taken place both in Northern Ireland and in England.
The document does not give details of the six cases.
The revelation that so-called "comfort letters" had been issued to some of Britain's most wanted criminals sparked outrage when it came to light last year.
Their very existence only emerged following the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was charged with murdering four soldiers in the Hyde Park bombing.
It is understood they were also given to suspects in the Harrods car bombing in 1983, which killed six and injured 90, and the Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen in 1987.
Other atrocities which could now come under investigation include the 1982 Regent’s Park bombing, in which seven military bandsmen were killed, and the 1984 Brighton bomb, which targeted the Grand Hotel where Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet members were staying, killing five people and injuring 34.
Fifteen years ago then Prime Minister Tony Blair reached a secretive deal with Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader, under which 200 fugitives were sent letters assuring them that they would not face arrest if they returned to the UK.
After the existence of the letters came to light Mr Blair insisted that the scheme was fundamental to the success of the Northern Ireland peace process, which he said would have collapsed without it.
However a report from MPs on the Northern Ireland affairs select committee set to be published on Tuesday is expected to contain strong criticisms of how Mr Blair’s government handled IRA fugitives.
Now Will Kerr, Northern Ireland's Assistant Chief Constable, has revealed his force no longer sees a barrier to prosecuting those who were sent the letters after Coalition ministers judged them to be illegal.
“Whilst prosecutorial challenges may still lie ahead, the obstacles to investigating, arresting and charging suspects appear to have been removed,” Mr Kerr said in a letter to MPs on the influential committee.
In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said it could not give further details of the six new cases.
Mr Kerr said: “The review of these cases is an ongoing process. This does involve active criminal investigations and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
