article_snippet: In a highly-critical report, A Commons select committee said the ‘one-sided secretive scheme’ – which victims said effectively handed paramilitary fighters 'get out of jail free' cards – had damaged the integrity of the UK criminal justice system.
article_snippet: MPs investigating the scandal said the scheme, set up by Tony Blair’s Labour government in 2000, had caused further hurt for the families of those killed during Troubles.
article_snippet: But today the Commons’ Northern Ireland Affairs Committee published a blistering report raising serious questions about the legality of the highly-divisive scheme.
article_snippet: a blistering report raising serious questions about the legality of the highly-divisive scheme said: ‘a blistering report raising serious questions about the legality of the highly-divisive scheme is questionable whether the 'on-the-runs'
article_snippet: we accept that there was a difficult peace process going on at the time, but believe that there still has to be transparency and accountability in the Government and in the legal process.
article_snippet: the Commons’ Northern Ireland Affairs Committee found that ‘damage has undoubtedly been done to public confidence in the criminal justice system’.
article_snippet: The committee, which took evidence from 55 witnesses, including ex-prime minister Mr Blair, also blasted the decision not to appeal the Downey ruling .
article_snippet: This had placed ‘preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system over the public interest involved in continuing the trial of someone accused of carrying out multiple murders,’ This said.
article_snippet: The report also said the people of Northern Ireland had been ‘kept in the dark to the greatest possible extent’ by the Government.
article_snippet: Committee chairman Laurence Robertson said the victims of the Troubles and their families had been ‘let down’.
article_snippet: Committee chairman Laurence Robertson said: ‘Our priority is to serve the victims of the Troubles and their familiesOur .
article_snippet: Regardless of the intentions, this scheme has caused further hurt to people who have suffered far too much already, and has led to further suspicions being raised.
article_snippet: The report branded ‘wholly unacceptable’ the Government's failure to identify those IRA members who had been charged or convicted who obtained Royal Prerogatives of Mercy during the peace process.
article_snippet: It comes after six IRA terror suspects thought to be behind some of the worst atrocities committed on mainland Britain are facing major new police investigations despite receiving letters granting six IRA terror suspects thought to be behind some of the worst atrocities committed on mainland Britain immunity.
highlights_snippet: Report said scheme has damaged integrity of UK criminal justice system .