answer text |
<p>Lady Justice Hallett emphasised on a number of occasions in her report that the
letters issued under the scheme established by the Labour Government were not an amnesty.
They were not a commitment by the state that an individual would not be prosecuted,
regardless of the case against them. They were only ever statements of fact as to
whether an individual was wanted for arrest at a particular point in time. They were
not intended to preclude investigation or prosecution on the basis of new evidence
emerging after they were sent or fresh assessment of the existing evidence.</p><p>Those
who received letters under the scheme should be in no doubt. If there is considered
to be evidence or intelligence of their involvement in crime, they will be investigated
by the police, and if the evidence is sufficient to warrant prosecution, they will
be prosecuted.</p><p>This Government believes firmly in the rule of law, and that
applies across the board to everyone, without fear or favour, including those in possession
of letters issued under the administrative scheme.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|