Former Northern Ireland secretary Shaun Woodward insisted yesterday that letters sent to republican "on the runs" (OTRs) saying they weren't being chased had never been meant as amnesties.

During a heated Commons debate, Mr Woodward gave his assurance over a scheme that saw accused IRA bomber John Downey avoid prosecution last month.

Mr Downey stood accused of planting a car bomb that killed four Household Guard cavalrymen in Hyde Park in 1982.