Police reviewing OTRs who were told they were not 'wanted'

The Metropolitan Police is reportedly investigating six key IRA suspects who received letters telling them they were not wanted.

The on the runs (OTRs) outside the jurisdiction received messages telling them they were not currently being sought by police, but future prosecutions were not ruled out.

The Sunday Telegraph said they were alleged to be behind some of Britain’s worst attacks.

The British government has said it no longer stands by the letters, drawn up under former Labour prime minister Tony Blair's administration as a peace process move.

It follows the collapse of the prosecution last year of John Downey for the Hyde Park bombing which killed four soldiers in 1982.

Press Association