Moutray backs DUP leader over OTR controversy

DUP MLA Stephen Moutray has described as “an absolute outrage” revelations that almost 200 republican ‘On The Runs’ (OTR) received amnesty letters.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2014, 09:55 BST

Mr Moutray said he is fully behind his party leader Peter Robinson who threatened to resign over the controversy.

This week it emerged that 187 republican OTRs were given letters of assurance that they were not wanted by the police. It followed the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was accused of killing four British soldiers in London’s Hyde Park bombing in 1982. Mr Downey denies the charges.

It is not known at this stage if anyone who was suspected of carrying out terrorist offences in the Upper Bann area received such amnesty letters.

On Wednesday First Minister Peter Robinson threatened to resign unless a judicial inquiry was held into the letters, agreed between Sinn Fein and the British government.

Prime Minister David Cameron has since announced a judge-led inquiry.