Blair must be questioned on IRA deals, MPs demand
TONY Blair faces being hauled in front of a Parliamentary committee to explain a secret deal he made with Sinn Fein to protect on the run IRA suspects.
The former prime minister sent "comfort letters" to 200 fugitives to tell them they were not wanted by police.
The move is coming under increased scrutiny but Mr Blair has so far dodged giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in public or in person, claiming his busy business meetings and commitments as a Middle East peace envoy has not made it possible.
But his excuses are wearing thin with MPs on the select committee, who may consider ordering him to attend, the Sunday Telegraph has reported.
The select committee is investigating the collapse of the case against John Downey, 62, from Donegal, who was accused of the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing which killed four soldiers.
He walked free from court in February after his defence team argued he could not face trial after receiving one of the letters. It wrongly assured him he was not wanted to pave the way for him to return home, when, in fact, the Metropolitan Police were looking for him.
So far Mr Blair has given evidence in private to Lady Justice Heather Hallett, who is leading the inquiry, and the majority of it is expected to remain a secret. But if he is summoned to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee his evidence will likely be held in public.
The victims in Northern Ireland are not interested in how busy he is. They need to know the truth
Tory MP Laurence Robertson, who is chairman of the committee told the Sunday Telegraph: "Mr Blair has not found a date in his diary. We are going to have to press him. Technically we can compel him to attend. I don't want to have to get to that point yet but others on the committee will want to do that."
Committee member Kate Hoey added: "The victims in Northern Ireland are not interested in how busy he is. They need to know the truth."
A report is expected to be published on Thursday with results of another inquiry into the affair.
Led by Lady Justice Heather Hallett, the report is expected to shed light on secret negotiations between Mr Blair and then Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams on how to deal with fugitive terrorist suspects.