Finucane family vow not to back restricted inquiry

The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane tonight reacted angrily to reports that the British government is to press ahead with controversial new laws limiting the scope of inquiries.

Mr Finucane’s son Martin said if the Inquiries Bill – permitting the British government to hold evidence sessions in private – is pushed through, the family would withhold co-operation from the inquiry.

“The family has made its position quite clear regarding this new legislation. If it goes ahead we certainly could not accept it or participate with the inquiry.”

According to Ulster Television the British government intends to press ahead with the legislation before the dissolution of Parliament.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy agreed last year to hold an inquiry into the murder of Mr Finucane, who was shot dead in front of his family in 1989.

But he indicated that because of national security concerns, new legislation would have to be drafted to allow evidence to be considered in public.

Last month, Canadian Judge Peter Cory, who investigated allegations of security force collusion in the murder, criticised the Government’s plans.

Judge Cory, whose report led to the British government agreeing to an inquiry, wrote a letter to a Washington Committee stating that new legislation would make a meaningful inquiry impossible.

He added: “If the new act were to become law I would advise all Canadian judges to decline an appointment in light of the impossible situation they would be facing.”