Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“In his evidence to the Northern Ireland Committee today Norman Baxter has made a number of extremely serious allegations – most significantly that the Government attempted to pervert the course of justice, a criminal offence.
“When Downing Street contacted the Chief Constable requesting the release of two suspected terrorists – one of whom was subsequently convicted of attempted murder – it showed the moral corruption at the heart of the “peace process”.
“Politics should have no role when it comes to the pursuit of criminals yet in Northern Ireland it appears that interference was routine, be that at the request of Gerry Kelly (who seemly acted at the “message boy” for OTRs) or Gerry Adams (who could phone the Prime Minister’s office to seek the release of Republicans).
“In light of what Mr Baxter has said it is imperative that a police investigation is commenced into attempts to pervert the course of justice by the highest politicians in the United Kingdom. Were there other calls about Republicans from Downing Street which prevented other criminals appearing before the courts?
“It is imperative that we not only know what went on but that those who broke the law of the land by attempting to interfere in the due process of law are held to account, regardless of the office they held”.