Past group says 'nothing decided'

Lord Eames and Denis Bradley co-chair the group

The group set up to look at how best to deal with the legacy of the Troubles has said nothing has been decided.

The Consultative Group on the Past caused controversy last week when it was suggested it may recommend an amnesty for former paramilitaries.

However, Lord Eames and Denis Bradley have emphasised no decisions have yet been taken.

The group's co-chairs met the first and deputy first ministers at Stormont on Monday afternoon.

"It is very wrong to suggest that anything that has been mentioned has been decided or will find favour," said Lord Eames.

"We're treating everything that has been put to us in an equal fashion. Otherwise, we wouldn't be a consultative group and would be failing those who had put some trust in us."

'Welcoming'

Denis Bradley said Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness were "welcoming of the wide debate that is proceeding".

"They're aware of how difficult these issues are and the amount of pain and hurt that resides in many a home in Northern Ireland, but I must say that I was very lifted by the quality and substantiveness of the discussion."

The Consultative Group on the Past is currently holding a series of public meetings across Northern Ireland.

A suggestion that it may ask the British government to say it fought a war against the IRA also sparked anger.