Commenting on today’s developments in the inquest into Gareth O’Connor’s murder TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“Isn’t it telling that Gerry Kelly assures the grieving family the IRA was not involved in the O’Connor murder and, then, delivers an OTR letter to the IRA suspect.
“That someone wanted in connection with such a recent murder received one of the letters suggests that the PSNI and Northern Ireland Office issued them without even the most elementary checks. It is clear that whatever Sinn Fein wanted in order to buy their support for the police they got.
“The public will now watch with interest to see what happens with this case. Will the existence of the letter mean that the suspect never stands trial?
“Shamefully Peter Robinson reneged on his pledge to resign unless all of the letters were rescinded and the list of those who received them along with their suspected crimes was made public. That being the case there is no public confidence that this pernicious scheme does not continue to pervert the justice system”.