SHOULD MP NAME OMAGH BOMBERS
Should MP Name Omagh Bombers
by Desmond McCartan
Hunter faces pressure to draw back
TORY MP Andrew Hunter today reconsidered immediate plans to name the alleged Omagh bombers, amid warnings that it could provoke a damaging parliamentary rift.
Mr Hunter, vice-chairman of his party's Northern Ireland back-bench committee, was said to be "double checking" the information which he has threatened to reveal under the cloak of Commons privilege.
He was taking further legal advice on whether he should go ahead and was seeking discussions with Mo Mowlam about how the issue should be handled. The Government, however, believed that the MP had come under party pressure to draw back.
It seemed likely that, as Mo Mowlam faced Commons questions on Northern Ireland issues, the Basingstoke MP, was preparing to press the pause button.
Behind the scenes, his plan to identify the alleged terrorists also threatened to provoke a fresh Commons row over the Opposition's commitment to bipartisanship.
Some Labour MPs who suspect the proposed tactic is a deliberate ploy to undermine the Government's handling of the peace process, warned that it could spell trouble for Tory leader William Hague.
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Andrew Mackay. who returned to Westminster from the province this morning signalled that the Tory leadership was dubious about the idea.
Dr Mowlam and the RUC have warned that "name and shame" tactics, where the threat of libel actions is protected under Parliamentary rules, could jeopardise future legal proceedings against the suspects.
Significantly, Conservative Party headquarters was unable to confirm that Mr Hague supported Mr Hunter's threatened action.
It is understood that the MP has been told that his action would not jeopardise the outcome of any court case.
Mr Hunter � he has a reputation of being unafraid of pressure to toe the line � believes that identifying the alleged Omagh bombers would expose Labour's vow that terrorists will have no hiding place.
Friends said that, even if he does not name the Omagh culprits, he is still likely to name three republicans and three loyalists said to be responsible for a series of so-called "punishment" attacks.
Families Against Intimidation and Terror (FAIT), the group which has catalogued the incidents, claim that some early release prisoners have been involved in the attacks.
Secretary of State Dr Mowlam said Mr Hunter would not be helping the RUC with a "name and shame" campaign.
"We all desperately want to see those responsible for this outrage brought to justice. But it is not enough to rely on rumour, or the word of a journalist, as Mr Hunter admits he has done," she said.
by Desmond McCartan
Hunter faces pressure to draw back
TORY MP Andrew Hunter today reconsidered immediate plans to name the alleged Omagh bombers, amid warnings that it could provoke a damaging parliamentary rift.
Mr Hunter, vice-chairman of his party's Northern Ireland back-bench committee, was said to be "double checking" the information which he has threatened to reveal under the cloak of Commons privilege.
He was taking further legal advice on whether he should go ahead and was seeking discussions with Mo Mowlam about how the issue should be handled. The Government, however, believed that the MP had come under party pressure to draw back.
It seemed likely that, as Mo Mowlam faced Commons questions on Northern Ireland issues, the Basingstoke MP, was preparing to press the pause button.
Behind the scenes, his plan to identify the alleged terrorists also threatened to provoke a fresh Commons row over the Opposition's commitment to bipartisanship.
Some Labour MPs who suspect the proposed tactic is a deliberate ploy to undermine the Government's handling of the peace process, warned that it could spell trouble for Tory leader William Hague.
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Andrew Mackay. who returned to Westminster from the province this morning signalled that the Tory leadership was dubious about the idea.
Dr Mowlam and the RUC have warned that "name and shame" tactics, where the threat of libel actions is protected under Parliamentary rules, could jeopardise future legal proceedings against the suspects.
Significantly, Conservative Party headquarters was unable to confirm that Mr Hague supported Mr Hunter's threatened action.
It is understood that the MP has been told that his action would not jeopardise the outcome of any court case.
Mr Hunter � he has a reputation of being unafraid of pressure to toe the line � believes that identifying the alleged Omagh bombers would expose Labour's vow that terrorists will have no hiding place.
Friends said that, even if he does not name the Omagh culprits, he is still likely to name three republicans and three loyalists said to be responsible for a series of so-called "punishment" attacks.
Families Against Intimidation and Terror (FAIT), the group which has catalogued the incidents, claim that some early release prisoners have been involved in the attacks.
Secretary of State Dr Mowlam said Mr Hunter would not be helping the RUC with a "name and shame" campaign.
"We all desperately want to see those responsible for this outrage brought to justice. But it is not enough to rely on rumour, or the word of a journalist, as Mr Hunter admits he has done," she said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0929
Published Date: 20-Jan-99
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