The trial of former UDA quartermaster Mr William Stobie, who is accused of involvement in the murders of solicitor Mr Pat Finucane and student Mr Adam Lambert, was today adjourned at Belfast Crown Court.
It is expected to resume later this week.
Mr Stobie’s lawyers argued yesterday their client was not being prosecuted out of any real or reasonable belief that he would be convicted but rather with the aim that the public be simply informed "how police agents act".
It was claimed there was no new evidence against Mr Stobie since the DPP’s original decision not to prosecute him in 1991 and his subsequent arrest by the inquiry headed by Sir John Stevens of the Metropolitan Police.
Defence QC Mr Arthur Harvey said the police view was Mr Stobie was not involved in the two murders and that he had reported all his UDA activities to the Special Branch.
Mr Stobie, of Forthriver Road, Belfast, who was released on continuing bail, denies the murder in November 1987 of Mr Lambert and that of Mr Finucane in February 1989.