Foyle MP Elisha McCallio Gerry Adams and other senior Sinn Fein figures at 10 Downing Street in London today to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May
GERRY Adams has expressed concern about a proposed “amnesty for British crown forces” allegedly involved in Troubles’ offences.
The outgoing Sinn Fein president said there had been a change to legacy arrangements envisaged under a previous political agreement.
He was speaking after meeting Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street in London.
The Louth TD was accompanied to the meeting by Foyle MP Elisha McCallion, party leader in the North Michelle O’Neill, vice president Mary Lou McDonald, Chris Hazzard MLA and Stormont talks negotiator Colm Murphy.
Conservative and unionist MPs want a “statute of limitations” to prevent security force members being prosecuted for offences early in the Troubles.
Mr Adams said he understood a new section had been added to the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and that it was “about an amnesty for British crown forces” – soldiers and policemen.
“That is an act of bad faith, we weren’t told this, we understand the Irish government weren’t told this,” Mr Adams said.
“So how on earth can a British prime minister hope to persuade anybody that there’s a possibility of a new dispensation emerging when she takes up this position and her secretary of state takes up this position also?”
Sinn Fein leader in the North Michelle O’Neill said in a statement after the meeting:
“We told the British Prime Minister Theresa May this morning that her government must bear the greater responsibility for the failure to reach agreement on the restoration of the institutions.
“The provision of an Irish Language Act, Marriage Equality, a Bill of Rights and funding for legacy inquests are all British government obligations.
“Progress is only possible if her government honours those commitments.
“We told Mrs May that direct rule is not an option and that she must look to the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement for the establishment of an intergovernmental conference involving the Irish and British governments.
“The crisis in the North’s political institutions arose almost one year ago because of the scandal in the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme and allegations of corruption from within the DUP about the DUP.
“It also has its roots in the failure of the British and Irish governments to honour their commitments under the terms of the Good Friday and subsequent agreements, and to ensure that the rights of citizens are respected.
“We also raised with the British Prime Minister the widespread concern on the island of Ireland about the impact of Brexit on our economies and communities.
“Brexit is the single biggest threat to our economies. We challenged Mrs May to spell out how she believes a so-called seamless and frictionless border is possible. Sinn Féin
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