Blair under pressure over Finucane murder

Tony Blair will be put under fresh pressure today to hold an immediate public inquiry into the loyalist murder over 15 years ago of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane.

The British government recently published reports by retired Canadian Supreme Court Judge , Peter Cory, into the controversial murders of Mr Finucane and three others in which he concluded there were sufficient suspicions of security force or State collusion to merit public inquiries.

While the British government has ordered inquiries into the other three deaths - solicitor Rosemary Nelson, Loyalist Volunteer Force chief Billy Wright and Robert Hamill – it says it is delaying an inquiry into the Finucane murder until after the legal process has been exhausted – a man is awaiting trial.

The SDLP said it is stepping up its campaign for an immediate inquiry. Party leader Mark Durkan will lead a delegation to London to lobby Blair.

Upper Bann Assembly member Delores Kelly, part of the delegation, said: “There can be no ducking and diving over Cory.

“Tony Blair has a clear and certain commitment to a Finucane Inquiry. It must be honoured and honoured now. The SDLP shall confront Tony Blair and tell government that in inquiry is not negotiable."

Ms Kelly said the party was warning Mr Blair that a forthcoming commission on the past must not be a vehicle by by-pass the commitment to a Finucane Inquiry.

“The best way to convey that this will not happen is for Tony Blair to announce a Finucane Inquiry now. Nothing less will satisfy. Nothing less will do."

Belfast Assembly member Alex Attwood, said they would also be insisting that the other inquiries recommended by Judge Cory fulfilled key requirements , including the power to call witnesses and compel the production of documents.

Judge Cory had outlined the requirements for a proper inquiry, he said. “These requirements are essential to build the confidence that forthcoming inquiries have the means and method to get to the truth and go after all documents and persons who can tell the truth.”

:: Patrick Finucane was shot dead by members of the Ulster Defence Association in front of his family in his north Belfast home in 1989.

:: Rosemary Nelson was blown up by a booby trap bomb planted under her car by loyalists as she drove away from her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh in 1999.

:: LVF leader Billy Wright was shot dead by members of the republican INLA inside the Maze Prison in 1997.

:: Catholic Robert Hamill died in hospital after being attacked by a loyalist mob in Portadown, Co Armagh in 1997.