Downing Street yesterday refused to confirm reports that Sinn Fein is pressing the British government for an amnesty for IRA suspects who are still at large, writes Rachel Donnelly, in London.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, Sinn Fein and the IRA are drawing up a list of members who are on the run or fear arrest if they return to Northern Ireland as possible candidates for amnesty.
Among those being proposed for amnesty are Rita O'Hare, a Sinn Fein official in the US and wanted in Northern Ireland for absconding while on bail in 1973, and Nessan Quinlivan, who escaped from Brixton prison in London in 1981.
Downing Street yesterday said a "stock-taking" meeting had taken place at No 10 two weeks ago between the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams. But the spokesman would not confirm whether the issue of a possible amnesty was discussed at the meeting.
"Stock-taking meetings did take place with the key players before the summer. These were private meetings and as far as briefing on these, we're just not getting into that," he said.