Murphy accused of misleading parliament

NORTHERN Secretary Paul Murphy deliberately misled parliament when delaying a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, Belfast High Court heard yesterday.

The accusation was made by Seamus Treacy QC representing the Finucane family during a judicial review aimed at forcing the British government to proceed with an independent probe.

The government has given the go-ahead for three public inquiries into the murders of Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson; LVF leader Billy Wright and Portadown Catholic Robert Hamill, following the publication of reports by retired Canadian Judge Peter Cory into alleged security force collusion.