James Stevens' report into collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries in the North faced obstruction and lack of cooperation in some quarters, Mr Stevens said today.

John Stevens has said that every word of his damning report into Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane's death "is supported by evidence and documentation".

The murders of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in February 1989 and Protestant student Brian Lambert in November 1987 by paramilitaries "`could have been prevented'' if the security forces had not been involved in the plots, John Stevens has said in his report into security force collusion in the North.

British security forces colluded with a loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland to murder Catholics including prominent solicitor Pat Finucane, according to a report out today.

A new report into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane published today was expected to confirm shocking levels of police Special Branch collusion with loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland.