PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott
PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and his Deputy Drew Harris have told a Westminster select committee that 95 of those who received controversial 'On The Run Letters' can be linked to 200 murders.
The startling news was only developed further when it was revealed that five of those who received an OTR letter are currently being investigated by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET).
Harris, who was giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said: "When you look at the full 228 names, there are people in that who are notorious without a doubt, 95 of these individuals are linked in some way or another to 200 murder investigations. That linkage can or may only be intelligence but that is now being assessed."
Agreed by the last Labour government and Sinn Fein, almost 200 republicans were given letters that assured them they were not being sought after by UK police.
PM David Cameron launched an investigation into the OTR letter scandal after it came to light that John Downey, 62, from Donegal, had mistakenly been sent one of the letters.
John Downey's case collapsed when it was revealed he was accidentally sent an OTR letter
Downey was facing charges in connection with the Hyde Park bombing in 1982.
The case against him collapsed when it emerged he had been sent an OTR letter.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the police said: "A review is currently underway of the 228 names involved in Operation Rapid. 95 of these are linked to 200 incidents involving 295 murders.
"The link can take a number of forms including intelligence."