Oppose new laws over Finucane probe, MPs urged
MPs will be urged in Westminster today to oppose legislation affecting an inquiry into the controversial murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood is due to meet MPs from all parties at Westminster as part of a series of briefings about government plans for an inquiry into the 1989 murder.
After a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday, the family of Pat Finucane threatened to boycott an inquiry into allegations that members of British army intelligence and the Royal Ulster Constabulary colluded with loyalist paramilitary in his shooting.
Mr Finucane’s widow, Geraldine and son Michael, have been pressing for an independent public inquiry.
However, Mr Blair was only able to say that the inquiry would be as open as possible, with some evidence possibly being taken behind closed doors in the interest of national security.
Pat Finucane was gunned down in front of his family in North Belfast in February 1989 by the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
In September loyalist, Ken Barrett, 41, received life imprisonment after he admitted having a role in the murder.
He is expected to be released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
UK Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens has already concluded in his investigation into the killing that Mr Finucane was a victim of collusion between rogue members of the security services and loyalists.
Retired Canadian judge Peter Cory has also recommended an inquiry following a probe into the case.
Following the conviction of Barrett, the British government announced an inquiry would take place but said new legislation was required to enable the tribunal to deal with sensitive issues of national security.
The Finucane family have raised concerns about whether the legislation is necessary.
After their meeting with Mr Blair, Michael Finucane said that while the Prime Minister was sympathetic, he had not allayed their concerns.
“Ultimately the inquiry is not satisfactory, even after all the hard work he has had to put in, then we may have to withdraw and may have to refuse to co-operate,” he warned.
“I think that would be an extremely unfortunate decision to have to make and very much hope that we do not have to take that decision.
“But we had to leave the Prime Minister in no doubt that if we are put to the sword we will walk away.”
The SDLPs Alex Attwood claimed ahead of today’s meeting the British government was trying to muzzle the truth through the legislation.
The West Belfast MLA said: “The government proposal to bring forward new legislation on inquiries is not just worrying for the Finucane case but for all cases.
“In fact it is about ending public inquiries as we know them. Had these powers been in place, we would probably never have seen all the Downing Street correspondence on Iraq in the Hutton Inquiry.
“This attempt by the British government to muzzle the truth shows New Labour’s control freakery at its worst.”
Mr Attwood described the legislation as a Stalinist measure, aimed at suppressing the truth.
He continued: “It is wide open to abuse and will allow Governments to cover up issues which are not about real national security, just to avoid public embarrassment. We hope that MPs from all parties will act to stop this new legislation.”
