British delay disappoints Cowen

FOREIGN Minister Brian Cowen said yesterday he was very disappointed the British Government was delaying a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

He said: “I am very disappointed with the decision of the British Government to delay action on the judge’s recommendation that a public inquiry be established quickly into the murder of Pat Finucane.

“Judge Cory came to the conclusion that the greater benefit to society would come from public inquiries rather than prosecutions. He said: ‘This may be one of those rare situations where a public inquiry will be of greater benefit to the community than prosecutions.’ I agree with that view.