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On the Runs hearing: Summoned NIO officials expected to appear On the Runs hearing: Former PM Tony Blair to appear
(about 4 hours later)
The chairman of a Westminster committee investigating the On The Runs issue has said he expects two government officials to attend later. Former prime minister Tony Blair has said he will give evidence to the Westminster committee investigating the On The Runs scheme.
There had been speculation they would not appear before MPs.
Under the On the Runs (OTRs) scheme, letters were sent to more than 200 republican paramilitary suspects.Under the On the Runs (OTRs) scheme, letters were sent to more than 200 republican paramilitary suspects.
The scheme, which was set up in 1999, informed them that they were no longer wanted by police.The scheme, which was set up in 1999, informed them that they were no longer wanted by police.
However, it only came to public attention last year when one of the letters caused the Hyde Park bomb trial to collapse. Two government officials due to appear on Wednesday will not now appear at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Laurence Robertson, said he had not been told officially that the officials would not be appearing. The On The Runs scheme only came to public attention last year when one of the letters caused the Hyde Park bomb trial to collapse.
One of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) civil servants expected to appear before the committee is believed to have signed the letter which led to the collapse of the Hyde Park trial. The scheme began while Mr Blair was prime minister. It was set up following talks with Sinn Féin.
"There has been some reluctance on behalf of ministers to allow these two to appear in front of the committee, that said, I have not been told officially that they won't be coming today," Mr Robertson said. Mr Blair will appear before the committee next Tuesday afternoon.
"The vibes perhaps were not good yesterday [Tuesday], but I have not been told officially that they're not coming, so I expect them to turn up today. There had been speculation that the two government officials would not appear before MPs on Wednesday.
Action Earlier, the committee's chairman Laurence Robertson, said he had not been told officially that the officials would not be appearing.
"It would be in their interest and indeed the government's interest for them to do so." One of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) civil servants who was due to attend is believed to have signed the letter that led to the collapse of the Hyde Park trial.
Mr Robertson said it would be in their interest and in the governments for them to attend.
Mr Robertson said the committee could take action if the pair did not attend.Mr Robertson said the committee could take action if the pair did not attend.
"We could refer them to the Standards and Privileges Committee who could consider the matter with the ultimate sanction of being named as being in contempt of parliament," he said."We could refer them to the Standards and Privileges Committee who could consider the matter with the ultimate sanction of being named as being in contempt of parliament," he said.
"Now that would not be a good place for them to be in."Now that would not be a good place for them to be in.
"It would be unfortunate if they got to that position because they were blocked by other people from attending so it is really not a good situation."It would be unfortunate if they got to that position because they were blocked by other people from attending so it is really not a good situation.
"I am taking a lot of advice on this and speaking to the relevant people. It would be far easier for them to come and to discuss their part, their role that they played and go from there.""I am taking a lot of advice on this and speaking to the relevant people. It would be far easier for them to come and to discuss their part, their role that they played and go from there."
Former prime minister Tony Blair has also to appear before the NI Affairs Committee despite being called on but Mr Robertson said he expected Mr Blair to attend next week. Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said she is willing to appear before the committee again, and to invite the two former NIO officials to attend with her.
The On The Runs scheme began while Mr Blair was prime minister. An Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said Ms Villiers had written to the committee.
"This letter states that while the government fully respects the rights of the committee to inquire into any matter of its choosing and seek evidence where it wishes, it is an important point of principle that it is ministers rather than officials who are accountable to parliament for the policies, actions and decisions of their departments," the statement said.
"However, in the light of the committee's latest request, the secretary of state has indicated that she would be willing to appear again alongside Sir Jonathan Stephens, and she will also invite the officials that the committee have asked to see to attend with her."