Murdered loyalist's father to learn legal fight outcome

Murdered loyalist terror boss Billy Wright’s father was today set to be told if he can examine police investigation files on the controversial killing.

Verdicts on two judicial review applications by David Wright were expected at the High Court in Belfast.

In a reserved judgement, Mr Justice Kerr will rule on his bids to overturn decisions by former chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and a top coroner.

Two years ago Sir Ronnie refused to give Mr Wright access to the dossier compiled by detectives working on the 1997 killing of his son.

The Loyalist Volunteer Force leader was shot dead inside the Maze Prison two days after Christmas by members of the rogue republican Irish National Liberation Army.

His father has campaigned ever since for a public inquiry into the murder, claiming the killers needed help from the security forces to carry out the daring assassination.

Wright’s death is one of six killings dogged by allegations of collusion involving the security forces on either side of the Irish border currently being investigated by retired Canadian Supreme Court Judge, Peter Cory.

Mr Cory is expected to deliver his findings to the Irish and British governments later this year.

In a separate application, Mr Wright has called for a decision by the Coroner for Greater Belfast to be reversed.

He has been blocked from obtaining the depositions of two key witnesses listed, but not called, to give evidence during the 1999 inquest into his son’a death.

Both judicial review applications have been ongoing since January 2001. In June last year, Mr Justice Kerr announced he was reserving judgement on both issues.

The outcome of today’s ruling is being eagerly awaited by interested parties and human rights organisations.

A ruling in favour of Mr Wright could pave the way for a series of similar applications from relatives whose family members have been killed in controversial circumstances.