David Ford said: “We would be failing victims and survivors if we did not allow them to seek justice. By saying that we should not investigate crimes committed during the Troubles, Peter Hain’s comments goes against the rule of law
“We cannot ignore the past. As we look to build a shared future, we should not look to sweep the past under the carpet as Mr Hain suggests. It may be difficult to get the required evidence in some of these cases, but we should not abandon the opportunity to achieve justice where that opportunity exists.
“Just as John Larkin’s proposal about granting amnesties was rejected by nearly every political party, I am sure that Peter Hain’s comments will be similarly rejected by most politicians.
“It is now more important than ever that we deal with the legacy of the past.”
ENDS