DUP leader Ian Paisley contacted Downing Street yesterday to issue a warning that any underhand deal to pardon the IRA's on-the-runs would have "dire consequences" for the political process.
Within moments of Mr Paisley's statement, the Government issued a claim that there was no backdoor deal.
A Downing Street spokesman also contacted the News Letter to make a similar pronouncement, in the wake of the matter being raised on the new
spaper's front page yesterday.
Mr Paisley spoke out amid speculation that the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General are to be asked to shelve cases against OTR republicans, as part of a final deal between Sinn Fein and Downing Street.
"I have been in contact with Downing Street to reinforce our view that any proposal to let on-the-runs go free without facing justice is obnoxious to the law- abiding citizens in Northern Ireland," said Mr Paisley.
"The DUP has said repeatedly that we will not tolerate proposals coming forward by whatever route to allow any amnesty for terrorists who have evaded justice in Northern Ireland. Any such proposal would be completely unacceptable."
He continued: "There can be no deal on this issue by the back door, or any side deal which allows these fugitives off the hook.
"No-one should be unaware of the dire consequences for the political process in Northern Ireland if the Government are foolish enough to proceed.
"If there is sufficient evidence to convict someone of a crime then they should stand trial for it. There is no way that the dropping of a viable case can ever be in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.
"It is important for the relatives of innocent victims that they know the police are working to identify the perpetrators of crimes and we will continue to make it clear that any proposals for an amnesty is totally unacceptable."
A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: "The Secretary of State Peter Hain has already stated publicly and to parliament that, while the Government recognises that OTRs are in an anomalous position, there is no intention to reintroduce legislation or to introduce an amnesty.
"Furthermore reports that the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) are to be asked to drop cases against OTRs 'in the public interest' are entirely incorrect."
He added that OTR cases are considered by the PPS according to the tests for prosecution, with these tests meaning each case is considered individually, and "without exception".
Alliance leader David Ford has said the Government "cannot pretend serious crimes were not crimes" by granting OTR pardons.
"We have said it before and we will say it again, it is unacceptable to talk about dealing genuinely with victims while at the same time suggesting the perpetrators of appaling crimes should be allowed to move on without facing the courts," he said.
