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Peter Robinson quit threat over IRA Hyde Park bomb case Peter Robinson quit threat over IRA Hyde Park bomb case
(35 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson has threatened to resign unless there is a judicial inquiry into secret letters given to more than 180 Irish republican paramilitary suspects.Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson has threatened to resign unless there is a judicial inquiry into secret letters given to more than 180 Irish republican paramilitary suspects.
The DUP leader said he was not prepared to remain as first minister in a power-sharing government "kept in the dark" about such an important matter.The DUP leader said he was not prepared to remain as first minister in a power-sharing government "kept in the dark" about such an important matter.
He was speaking after the trial of Donegal man John Downey collapsed.He was speaking after the trial of Donegal man John Downey collapsed.
He denied killing four soldiers in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.He denied killing four soldiers in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.
'Deceived''Deceived'
The case collapsed because he was mistakenly told in a letter in 2007 that he was no longer a wanted man, despite the fact that police in Northern Ireland knew he was still being sought by Scotland Yard.The case collapsed because he was mistakenly told in a letter in 2007 that he was no longer a wanted man, despite the fact that police in Northern Ireland knew he was still being sought by Scotland Yard.
Although police soon realised they had made a mistake, the assurance was never withdrawn.Although police soon realised they had made a mistake, the assurance was never withdrawn.
On Wednesday, the current coalition government revealed it had sent out 38 letters of exemption to terror suspects.On Wednesday, the current coalition government revealed it had sent out 38 letters of exemption to terror suspects.
It said a total of about 200 such letters were distributed - mostly under the previous Labour government - to suspects "on the run".It said a total of about 200 such letters were distributed - mostly under the previous Labour government - to suspects "on the run".
The Northern Ireland Office has confirmed that all the recipients were republicans.
Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons on Wednesday that Mr Downey should never have been sent the letter and that it had been a "dreadful mistake".Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons on Wednesday that Mr Downey should never have been sent the letter and that it had been a "dreadful mistake".
Mr Downey's lawyer said his alleged offences had been categorised as one of the on-the-run cases that would no longer be pursued in the light of progress in the Northern Ireland peace process.Mr Downey's lawyer said his alleged offences had been categorised as one of the on-the-run cases that would no longer be pursued in the light of progress in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Attorney General Dominic Grieve told the Commons on Wednesday that the judgement would not be appealed.Attorney General Dominic Grieve told the Commons on Wednesday that the judgement would not be appealed.
Mr Robinson called for all letters sent out to be rescinded and "full disclosure" of what had happened.Mr Robinson called for all letters sent out to be rescinded and "full disclosure" of what had happened.
"I am not prepared to be kept in the dark by Her Majesty's government about matters relevant to Northern Ireland," he told the BBC."I am not prepared to be kept in the dark by Her Majesty's government about matters relevant to Northern Ireland," he told the BBC.
"I want a full judicial inquiry to find out who knew, when they knew and what they knew. I want to know who they are and what crimes they are believed to have committed.""I want a full judicial inquiry to find out who knew, when they knew and what they knew. I want to know who they are and what crimes they are believed to have committed."
'Calm down''Calm down'
He said he felt deceived by the government, and if he and former DUP leader Ian Paisley had known about this, they would not have entered into power-sharing government with Sinn Féin in 2007.He said he felt deceived by the government, and if he and former DUP leader Ian Paisley had known about this, they would not have entered into power-sharing government with Sinn Féin in 2007.
"I am not prepared to be a stooge for Westminster who keep secrets on matters which are now devolved to Northern Ireland," he said."I am not prepared to be a stooge for Westminster who keep secrets on matters which are now devolved to Northern Ireland," he said.
Mr Robinson said he would discuss the matter with Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers at a meeting later on Wednesday.Mr Robinson said he would discuss the matter with Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers at a meeting later on Wednesday.
Responding to Mr Robinson's comments, Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, tweeted: "My unionist colleagues need to calm down. We've all come a long way. No sensible person will thank anyone for threatening the institutions."Responding to Mr Robinson's comments, Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, tweeted: "My unionist colleagues need to calm down. We've all come a long way. No sensible person will thank anyone for threatening the institutions."
Ms Villiers admitted that the fall-out from the case had made progress on the Northern Ireland talks chaired by US diplomat Richard Haass more difficult.Ms Villiers admitted that the fall-out from the case had made progress on the Northern Ireland talks chaired by US diplomat Richard Haass more difficult.
The talks - on parades, the past and flags - broke up without agreement in December.The talks - on parades, the past and flags - broke up without agreement in December.
"There was some very important work that has been going on in recent weeks between the party leaders; some real dedication to trying to find a way forward," she said."There was some very important work that has been going on in recent weeks between the party leaders; some real dedication to trying to find a way forward," she said.
"There is no doubt that finding that way forward will be more difficult now given the events of the last 24 hours, but I continue to encourage the parties to do so.""There is no doubt that finding that way forward will be more difficult now given the events of the last 24 hours, but I continue to encourage the parties to do so."
She will meet Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford on Thursday.She will meet Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford on Thursday.
'Open and transparent''Open and transparent'
Mr Ford told the BBC he only became aware of the letters following the outcome of the court case, and it had nothing to do with his department.Mr Ford told the BBC he only became aware of the letters following the outcome of the court case, and it had nothing to do with his department.
He said Ms Villiers "may wish to dump responsibility for the scheme onto her predecessors in the Labour government, and indeed it was them who set it up, but she cannot dump responsibility for it on the Department of Justice which was told nothing about it".He said Ms Villiers "may wish to dump responsibility for the scheme onto her predecessors in the Labour government, and indeed it was them who set it up, but she cannot dump responsibility for it on the Department of Justice which was told nothing about it".
"I am concerned about the whole issue of what this so-called scheme amounts to," he added."I am concerned about the whole issue of what this so-called scheme amounts to," he added.
The Alliance leader said that while his party accepted that the issue of on-the-runs had to be dealt with, "what we needed was an open and transparent process".The Alliance leader said that while his party accepted that the issue of on-the-runs had to be dealt with, "what we needed was an open and transparent process".
Meanwhile, BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith has said some Conservative MPs want the threat of prosecution of paratroopers involved in Bloody Sunday to be lifted following the collapse of the Downey case.Meanwhile, BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith has said some Conservative MPs want the threat of prosecution of paratroopers involved in Bloody Sunday to be lifted following the collapse of the Downey case.
He said one MP told him: "I'm damned if they should be given an amnesty and former soldiers left hanging there; uncertain over whether they might face prosecution."He said one MP told him: "I'm damned if they should be given an amnesty and former soldiers left hanging there; uncertain over whether they might face prosecution."
Thirteen civilians were killed during the Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry in 1972. A 14th died later.Thirteen civilians were killed during the Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry in 1972. A 14th died later.
It is understood a letter is to be written to the prime minister calling on him to lift the threat of any criminal prosecution against the paratroopers.It is understood a letter is to be written to the prime minister calling on him to lift the threat of any criminal prosecution against the paratroopers.