Tony Blair May Be Summoned To Parliament Over IRA Amnesty

Tony Blair faces being called before Parliament to explain the secret deals given to Irish Republican Army (IRA) suspects confirming they would not be prosecuted for terrorist offences. The Sunday Telegraph reports that he did deals with the IRA’s political wing, Sinn Fein, that involved sending “comfort letters” to “on the run” suspects.

The former Prime Minister is being accused of deliberately dodging a parliamentary committee investigating the affair. This could lead to the embarrassing prospect of him being formally summoned, using powers that are similar to those held by the courts.

As previously reported on Brietbart London, Blair has been accused of conspiring to ensure terrorists were not prosecuted. Whilst this was done in order to push forward the peace process in Northern Ireland, it has nonetheless raised serious concerns.

When he gave evidence to the Home Affair’s Select Committee, Norman Baxter, a retired Chief Superintendent, said that Downing Street requested the release of two Irish Republican terror suspects, hours after they had been arrested for the attempted murder of a soldier.

He said: “They were arrested, I have a note here, on the 8th of March some time around tea time and taken to the serious crime suite at Antrim. 

“At 9.10pm I received a phone call from the duty ACC (Assistant Chief Constable) at (PSNI) headquarters.

“Gerry Adams had telephoned Downing Street demanding their release, Downing Street rang the Chief Constable’s office looking their release and I got a phone call suggesting I should release them.

“That of course in my mind is attempting to pervert the course of justice and that was conveyed back to headquarters.”

He added: “I don’t know who the personality in Downing Street was but as a police officer that is totally illegal and unconstitutional.

“We continued interviewing them and Mr McGeough was subsequently convicted for attempted murder.”

During the peace process, dozens of suspected terrorists were effectively guaranteed immunity from prosecution once they received the letters. Victims groups have questioned the policy.