The SDLP has demanded that the British government ditch its on-the-runs legislation and establish a totally new system that would properly address the issues of truth and justice.
The SDLP yesterday continued to insist that it is inconceivable that Sinn Féin was not aware that the British government was planning to allow so-called British "state killers" to be included in the legislation that would allow IRA fugitives return to Northern Ireland without any fear of a prison sentence.
Sinn Féin has denied it was aware that the legislation would also apply to police officers and British soldiers guilty of murder and other offences while Northern Secretary Peter Hain said anyone making such a claim was creating mischief.
"We believe Sinn Féin were complicit in this deal," insisted SDLP MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell at a press conference in Belfast yesterday. He said comments by Sinn Féin Assembly members Martin McGuinness and Conor Murphy implicitly illustrated that the party knew the legislation would be extended to the British army and RUC.
Party policing spokesman Alex Attwood added that the current legislation going through Westminster was flawed and that the British government must go back "to the drawing board" and establish an all-embracing policy that addressed all the issues around on-the-runs, "state killers" and victims.
Mr Attwood said Sinn Féin must also agree to the legislation being abandoned.
"We are losing our moral and political compass because of this legislation, and it is time it was re-established."
"Are we going to have a situation where Sinn Féin are going to put the needs of their people and their organisation before the needs of all the people, all the victims, and all the needs for truth and justice?" he added.
In the absence of the British government refusing to accept the SDLP demand, the party is preparing a series of amendments to the legislation.
