Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Today’s ruling by the High Court that John Downey was an “active participant” in the IRA Hyde Park bombing in which four people were murdered and a further 31 injured will no doubt be welcomed by those who have campaigned so long and so hard for justice. It is, however, a stark reminder of just how great a travesty the “On the Run” letter scheme was. Downey should be facing a criminal court, not a civil one. The fact that he is not is a great stain on the United Kingdom and a telling insight into just how perverse the “peace process” is.
“While the incident lives in the public imagination because of the large number of horses killed in the blast it is worth remembering that the inquest following Hyde Park was told that whoever detonated the bomb would have seen that a woman and baby’s pram were in the field of the blast.
“This is the sort of crime which the powers that be gave out OTR letters for in order to advance the process. So while innocent victims will rightly celebrate this victory they will doubtless also reflect on how those who should have brought Downey to justice have failed them.”