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| Royal prerogative of mercy: Over 350 issued in Northern Ireland | Royal prerogative of mercy: Over 350 issued in Northern Ireland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 350 royal prerogatives of mercy have been issued in Northern Ireland over the past 35 years, it has been revealed. | More than 350 royal prerogatives of mercy have been issued in Northern Ireland over the past 35 years, it has been revealed. |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers disclosed that 365 royal pardons had been issued between 1979 and 2002. | Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers disclosed that 365 royal pardons had been issued between 1979 and 2002. |
| The figures was given in an answer to a question from MP Kate Hoey. | The figures was given in an answer to a question from MP Kate Hoey. |
| There are no figures for ten years between 1987 and 1997, as the records have apparently been lost. | There are no figures for ten years between 1987 and 1997, as the records have apparently been lost. |
| It is not clear how many of those pardoned were members of paramilitary groups, or what proportion, if any, were members of the security forces. | It is not clear how many of those pardoned were members of paramilitary groups, or what proportion, if any, were members of the security forces. |
| The Royal Prerogative of Mercy, commonly known as a royal pardon, allows changes in sentences without the backing of, or consultation with, Parliament. | The Royal Prerogative of Mercy, commonly known as a royal pardon, allows changes in sentences without the backing of, or consultation with, Parliament. |
| First Minister Peter Robinson has called for the issue of royal pardons to be included into the judge-led inquiry into the On The Runs controversy. | |
| On The Runs is the term used to refer to people who are suspected of, but who have not been charged or convicted of paramilitary offences during the Troubles. | |
| Lady Justice Hallett has been appointed to head up the inquiry into the issuing of about 200 letters to republican paramilitary suspects. | |
| Transparency | Transparency |
| Speaking about the disclosure of royal pardons issued in Northern Ireland, Miss Hoey said she was "astonished". | |
| "I'm astonished first of all at the numbers involved, but also at the fact that the government seems to have lost 10 years of records for something that is a hugely important thing," she said. | "I'm astonished first of all at the numbers involved, but also at the fact that the government seems to have lost 10 years of records for something that is a hugely important thing," she said. |
| "The Queen presumably signs these, so how can they lose them? | "The Queen presumably signs these, so how can they lose them? |
| "We want to know how many more were issued and, more importantly, who they were issued to and why they were given a pardon. | "We want to know how many more were issued and, more importantly, who they were issued to and why they were given a pardon. |
| "This is something the public need to know. We want transparency and honesty and this is neither honest or transparent." | "This is something the public need to know. We want transparency and honesty and this is neither honest or transparent." |
| Miss Hoey also questioned why the pardons were not publicly recorded, as is the practice in Great Britain. | Miss Hoey also questioned why the pardons were not publicly recorded, as is the practice in Great Britain. |
| Questions | Questions |
| "In England, when someone gets a royal pardon it traditionally has appeared in the London Gazette. | "In England, when someone gets a royal pardon it traditionally has appeared in the London Gazette. |
| "There is also a Belfast Gazette, where one would have assumed the names would have appeared. | "There is also a Belfast Gazette, where one would have assumed the names would have appeared. |
| "That has not happened and when I asked those questions, the Secretary of State appears to be saying that it is not normal procedure in Northern Ireland. | "That has not happened and when I asked those questions, the Secretary of State appears to be saying that it is not normal procedure in Northern Ireland. |
| "This is wrong because at that time policing and justice were not devolved to Northern Ireland so, again, there are a lot more questions to be asked." | "This is wrong because at that time policing and justice were not devolved to Northern Ireland so, again, there are a lot more questions to be asked." |
| The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said: "It is for those members of the previous government responsible at the time to explain how and in what circumstances they used the RPM (royal prerogatives of mercy). | The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said: "It is for those members of the previous government responsible at the time to explain how and in what circumstances they used the RPM (royal prerogatives of mercy). |
| "No RPM have been issued since the current government came to power in May 2010.' | "No RPM have been issued since the current government came to power in May 2010.' |