Commenting on the judgment in the case of John Downey Jim Allister said:
“John Anthony Downey was accused of the most horrendous crimes. The Hyde Park bombing cost the lives of four people – Roy John Bright, Dennis Richard Anthony Daly, Simon Andrew Tipper and Geoffrey Vernon Young.
“The bombing with which he was charged was the first of two that day which caused carnage in London leaving 11 people dead and 50 injured.
“This judgement is another indication of the price being paid by innocent victims for the so-called peace process. It lifts the lid on some of the rotten skulduggery involved.
“The scale of the concessions to Republicans are simply unbelievable and are now being cashed in by Sinn Fein to deliver Downey – a man Gerry Kelly proudly described as a Sinn Fein member.
“It is outrageous that the Government should pervert the course of justice by giving those wanted for terrorist offenses a get out of jail free card.
“Now society and the innocent victims have to pay the price while terrorists laugh all the way back to the arms of Sinn Fein.
“It is interesting, however, that when Gerry McGeough tried to use a similar argument to that employed by Downey it was rejected. I therefore believe the DPP should appeal this decision.”