Cameron must hold public inquiry into murder of Pat Finucane

Publication of the report by Sir Desmond de Silva QC on the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane drew a robust critique of some elements of British security forces from prime minister David Cameron in the House of Commons when he concurred with the report’s findings that “employees of the British state actively furthered and facilitated” the murder and subsequently engaged in a relentless effort to defeat the ends of justice.

Mr Cameron apologised on behalf of his government and the whole country to the Finucane family, but reiterated his government’s refusal to initiate a full public inquiry as demanded by the Finucane family.

The report’s findings that RUC officers destroyed evidence, ‘lost’ records, and returned a murder weapon used in the killing of Mr Finucane to the British army from where it was reported stolen, is clear evidence that some of Northern Ireland’s security forces operated beyond democratic political control.