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Jonathan Powell appears before On the Runs Westminster inquiry Jonathan Powell appears before On the Runs Westminster inquiry
(35 minutes later)
A Westminster inquiry into the On the Runs issue is hearing from Tony Blair's former chief of staff Jonathan Powell.A Westminster inquiry into the On the Runs issue is hearing from Tony Blair's former chief of staff Jonathan Powell.
Last week, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee resumed its inquiry into the letters scheme after a summer recess.Last week, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee resumed its inquiry into the letters scheme after a summer recess.
The government scheme came to light when one of the letters, which were sent more than 200 Irish republicans, caused an IRA bomb trial to collapse.The government scheme came to light when one of the letters, which were sent more than 200 Irish republicans, caused an IRA bomb trial to collapse.
Mr Powell said the letters scheme was different from the issue of so-called On the Runs.Mr Powell said the letters scheme was different from the issue of so-called On the Runs.
He said the issue of On the Runs dealt with people who were wanted by the authorities while the administrative letters scheme dealt with people who were not wanted.He said the issue of On the Runs dealt with people who were wanted by the authorities while the administrative letters scheme dealt with people who were not wanted.
"There is a clear distinction between people who are going to be charged or are wanted and people who are not wanted," he said."There is a clear distinction between people who are going to be charged or are wanted and people who are not wanted," he said.
Mr Powell said the On the Runs issue had never been resolved.Mr Powell said the On the Runs issue had never been resolved.
'Evolved'
He said the letters scheme "evolved" after Sinn Féin came forward with the first names.He said the letters scheme "evolved" after Sinn Féin came forward with the first names.
"This scheme evolved - when the first names were put to us we had no plan for a scheme, it developed into a scheme," he said."This scheme evolved - when the first names were put to us we had no plan for a scheme, it developed into a scheme," he said.
Mr Powell said many aspects of the peace process were unpalatable to him, but "you can't have a peace agreement that is a la carte".Mr Powell said many aspects of the peace process were unpalatable to him, but "you can't have a peace agreement that is a la carte".
The letters scheme became the focus of controversy after the collapse of a case against John Downey in February for the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.The letters scheme became the focus of controversy after the collapse of a case against John Downey in February for the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
Mr Downey was wrongly told he was not wanted by any UK police force. However, he was still being sought by the Metropolitan Police.Mr Downey was wrongly told he was not wanted by any UK police force. However, he was still being sought by the Metropolitan Police.
In July, a separate review into the scheme by Lady Justice Hallet found that it was flawed, but not an amnesty for those who received letters.In July, a separate review into the scheme by Lady Justice Hallet found that it was flawed, but not an amnesty for those who received letters.
Mr Powell said he agreed with all of Lady Hallet's findings.Mr Powell said he agreed with all of Lady Hallet's findings.