Finucane family challenges head of Stevens investigation

Lawyers representing the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane have launched a legal challenge against British police commissioner John Stevens over his refusal to provide documentary material relating to the murder.

Mr Stevens was appointed head of a team of British police assigned to investigate the murder, which was carried out by the UDA.

British police were called in to probe the killing because of claims that the RUC special branch colluded with loyalists in organising the murder.

The Finucane family’s solicitors have lodged judicial review proceedings against Mr Stevens, claiming his investigation was established to hide the truth rather than uncover it.

Mr Finucane’s widow, Geraldine, said Mr Stevens has refused to let her see any documentation that is relevant to her husband’s death.

"I think that this failure reinforces my suspicions that the Stevens investigation was established to prevent or obstruct the truth getting out," she said.

Her solicitors are planning to argue that the denial of material is unlawful and a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

One man, 50-year-old William Stobie, has already been charged in connection with Mr Finucane’s murder.

Mr Stobie, a former UDA quartermaster who supplied the gun used in the attack, claims he told the RUC days beforehand that the UDA was planning to murder Mr Finucane, but the RUC did absolutely nothing to prevent the shooting.

His trial, which is ongoing, was adjourned today because the judge is ill.