HC Deb 27 March 2000 vol 347 cc51-2W
Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his recent decision to suspend the licence of a prisoner who was released under the Good Friday Agreement. [116694]

Mr. Mandelson

This was the first time this power has been exercised but should I receive evidence that any other prisoners who have benefited from early release breach their license conditions, I will act immediately.

Prisoners released early in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement are released on license and are subject to strict licence conditions.

For a fixed-term prisoner, these conditions are:

  1. (a) that he does not support a specified organisation (within the meaning of section 3 of the Sentences Act), and
  2. (b) that he does not become concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland.

I have made it clear that anyone of whom I have evidence that they have breached these conditions would have their license suspended and be returned to custody.

Given the circumstances of the case in question, I had no hesitation in suspending the licence in accordance with the legislation.

The matter has been referred to the Sentence Review Commissioners (the prisoner may apply to them should he wish his case to be reconsidered).