POLICE acted lawfully during the process of drafting letters to IRA suspects on the run, Northern Ireland's chief constable has said.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has questioned the legality of parts of the political process which led to people receiving secret assurances that they were not wanted for questioning.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Matt Baggott privately briefed the Policing Board of politicians and independent members which oversees the police.

Board chairman Anne Connolly said: "The chief constable told the Board that the PSNI actions in this process were legitimate and lawful and that the PSNI do not believe the letters confer an amnesty."