Blair to face Finucane family
Tony Blair will face criticism today from the family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane over the handling of an inquiry into his killing.
Mr Finucane’s widow Geraldine and son Michael and other family members will meet Mr Blair in Downing Street for the first time since the British government announced an inquiry.
They will be joined at the meeting by their legal adviser Peter Madden and by Jane Winter, the director of the London-based human rights group British Irish Rights Watch.
But, as they headed to London, Michael Finucane said the family did not have confidence in the British government’s handling of an inquiry into allegations that British army intelligence and RUC colluded in the murder of his father in 1989 by members of the Ulster Defence Association.
Mr Finucane said: “My family is deeply concerned about the proposed inquiry into my father’s murder. The recent announcement on behalf of the government by (Northern Ireland Secretary) Paul Murphy that an inquiry is to be established is not sufficient because it omitted a crucial word – public.
“He has not said anything since to reassure us that a proper public inquiry is what the government will establish because the focus has been on new legislation that addresses national security concerns and little else.”
Pat Finucane was gunned down in front of this family in his north Belfast home in February 1989.
His relatives, human rights groups and nationalist politicians have long believed he was the victim of a policy of collusion between members of the security forces in Northern Ireland and loyalist paramilitaries.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens has concluded in an investigation into the murder that Mr Finucane and student Adam Lambert were victims of collusion.
The case for inquiry was further strengthened when retired Canadian judge Peter Cory recommended to the British government that there should be one.
Judge Cory was appointed by the British and Irish governments after the 2001 Weston Park talks to examine the cases for inquiries into six controversial killings.
In September loyalist Ken Barrett, 41, received a life sentence after he admitted his role in Mr Finucane’s murder.
He is expected to be released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
After his conviction, Paul Murphy announced that an inquiry would be held as recommended by Judge Cory.
However, the Finucane family, nationalist politicians and human rights groups were concerned by suggestions that large sections of the inquiry might have to be held behind closed doors because they would deal with sensitive matters of national security.
Mr Murphy also announced that legislation would have to be drawn up to enable the tribunal in charge of a fresh probe into Mr Finucane’s killing to deal with these sensitive national security issues.
Michael Finucane said ahead of today’s meeting: “We are very concerned that the new legislation proposed by the British government will restrict the scope of any inquiry to such an extent that a proper public inquiry becomes impossible.
“This is completely unacceptable. It is therefore very important that we discuss the matter with Mr Blair face-to-face and explain why such an inquiry will not suffice.
“My family have little confidence in the British government because of the way we have been treated over the years. This latest announcement appears to be simply the latest in a long line of tactics designed to frustrate a proper public inquiry.
“The Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 provides a tried-and-tested framework within which to hold an inquiry. No new legislation is necessary to establish an inquiry into my father’s murder.”
