Loyalist released after Finucane questioning

A senior loyalist has been released in the North after being questioned in connection with the murder of Belfast solicitor, Pat Finucane.

William Courtney was arrested on Wednesday morning but has since been released without charge. Mr Courtney, a Shankill loyalist and member of the UDA's so-called inner council, was questioned by British officers investigating Pat Finucane’s murder, led by the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir John Stevens.

Meanwhile, another loyalist, Ken Barrett, who has been moved to a safe location in Britain by the Stevens team has said in a statement he has not, and will not, be giving evidence against anyone.

Mr Barrett confessed two years after Mr Finucane’s killing that he had pulled the trigger, but the police decided to use him as an informer rather than prosecute him.

In January, after William Stobie - who procured the gun used to murder Pat Finucane - was himself killed, Mr Barrett and his family were given police protection.

Shankill Road loyalist sources believe Mr Courtney was arrested on Mr Barrett’s information.