'On the run' amnesty a matter of 'principled judicial process'

5.39.40pm GMT Wed 23rd Nov 2005

Charles Kennedy put pressure on the Prime Minister at PMQs to re-consider the proposed amnesty of 'on the run' Northern Irish terrorists, as it was a matter of "principled judicial process."

Pressed by Mr Kennedy to acknowledge that "if justice is seen to be done, it is imperative that those who have committed terrorist atrocities appear in court and answer for their crimes," the Prime Minister admitted that the anger that the new measure provoked was "very natural, particularly from those who have suffered so much from acts of IRA terrorism."

Mr Kennedy then asked "why won't the Prime Minister put the victims of terrorism higher up the priority list?" adding that the Prime Minister could provide "direct linkage in this legislation to the early release scheme which involves a proper court process."