Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrats | Ross Skye & Lochaber

Charles Kennedy: ‘On The Run’ Amnesty Seriously Flawed

Following remarks by the Prime Minister during his appearance before the House of Commons Liaison Committee, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, said:

"The proposed legislation to grant an amnesty to Northern Ireland terrorists on the run will indeed, as the Prime Minister puts it, cause ‘anger and anguish’.

"There are serious problems with a scheme which doesn’t even require an accused person to appear in court. What does that say about our attitude to justice and what kind of signal does that send to their victims?

"The Government needs to understand that these proposals are very different from the controversial ‘early release scheme’.  Those who will benefit from this are suspected of serious terrorist acts but have never faced a court – yet it is proposed that they should be allowed to return freely to Northern Ireland.

"We have had serious objections since this was first suggested in April 2001.  It is time the Prime Minister started listening."