The children of Belfast solicitor Mr Pat Finucane today challenged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to set up a public inquiry into their father's killing, saying former prime minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher should be called to give evidence.
|
|
Katherine Finucane, daughter of murdered lawyer Pat Finucane, at today’s press conference in Belfast REUTERS/Paul McErlane
|
Despite leaked details of the Stevens Inquiry into the relationship between loyalist paramilitaries and security forces in the North showing widespread collusion, the Finucanes say they have no faith in Sir John Stevens’ investigation.
Mr Michael Finucane said the Stevens Inquiry could not properly address the issues because it was only a police investigation. He also said the investigation by retired Canadian judge Mr Peter Cory to look at a number of suspicious deaths - including that of loyalist murderer Billy Wright - is inadequate.
Mr Finucane said a public inquiry could "rock the foundations of the British state".
"Here in its own backyard it is being charged with the most serious crime a government could be charged with ... assassination of its own citizens," he said.
A BBC documentary this week alleged direct Special Branch involvement in the killing of Mr Pat Finucane and also uncovered British Army intelligence collusion with Mr Brian Nelson who allegedly supplied information on Mr Finucane to the gang that killed him.
Mr Finucane was shot dead in front of his wife and children in his north Belfast home in 1989. He was renowned for defending IRA suspects but in the documentary a former leading loyalist claimed the solicitor was killed at the request of a Special Branch officer.
Michael, John and Katherine Finucane called a news conference in their father's former office in Belfast today to issue their demand for a full public inquiry.
Mr Michael Finucane said: "I want to make it absolutely clear that a public inquiry is the only way in which the questions surrounding the murder of Pat Finucane can be addressed and answers sought."
He said there was a "distinct possibility there was state sponsored collusion" and that it went right to the top.
The state's own forces were "clearly involved" in the killing, he said, and an inquiry was needed to establish if "those at the pyramid of power" had known what was happening.
He said he would not expect an inquiry to balk at calling former prime minister Margaret Thatcher to give evidence.
"She is involved, she was the Prime Minister of the day, obviously she has a strong connection to all of this."
Mr Blair yesterday pledged the British government's determination to uncover the truth about the killing but fell short of agreeing to a public inquiry. But he has said if Judge Cory recommends a public inquiry he will comply.
Mr Michael Finucane also called on the Taoiseach Mr Ahern to put pressure on Mr Blair.
The BBC Panoramaprogramme is expected to make further allegations about the killing when the second part of its documentary is aired this Sunday evening.
Additional reporting PA