Sinn Fein to skip UK inquiry into IRA fugitives

DUBLIN - Sinn Fein leaders say they have nothing to hide about their deal with Britain granting effective amnesties to Irish Republican Army fugitives - but won't testify to a British parliamentary investigation into the controversy.

Sinn Fein deputy leader Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, announced Saturday that its officials would decline invitations to testify to the London committee of lawmakers.

That investigation follows courtroom revelations earlier this year that three British governments since 2001 provided 228 IRA veterans documents promising they wouldn't face arrest for unsolved bombings and shootings. The IRA figures, mostly living as Republic of Ireland fugitives, had feared returning to the British territory of Northern Ireland.

The other four parties in Northern Ireland's unity government accuse Britain and Sinn Fein of keeping the deal secret.