Ivan Lewis MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, responding to the publication of today’s report by Lady Justice Hallett, said:

“Today at the forefront of our minds should be the members of our armed forces who lost their lives in the Hyde Park bombing, their families and all victims of other similar atrocities in Northern Ireland. I repeat our apology to the families of the Hyde Park victims for the catastrophic errors which were made specifically in relation to the handling of the Downey case. 

"We welcome Lady Hallett’s report and accept, in full, her findings which shatter a number of myths. She found the On-the-Run Scheme to be lawful and not an amnesty of any kind. However we also accept her conclusion that there should have been a more systematic approach to the operation and review of the scheme. We are also concerned about the two other identified cases where errors have been made. It is vital the government deals appropriately with these cases as a matter of urgency. 

"Today’s report reinforces the urgent need for a robust, transparent and comprehensive process to deal with Northern Ireland’s past. It is clear the UK and Irish governments must  take a far more hands on role in supporting local political parties to reach agreement on the past and parades. Continued stalemate will only leave a vacuum to be exploited by those who wish to undermine the peace process.”