An influential US-based lawyers' group has written to the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, expressing "deep concern" at the response to calls for a full public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane under new legislation.
The Washington DC-based Human Rights First, formerly known as the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights, told Mr Blair his government's plan for new legislation would "unnecessarily delay" the long-awaited inquiry into collusion between state forces and loyalist paramilitaries and would "fuel suspicion" that the government is seeking to avoid an independent inquiry.
They say the 1921 legislation, used to govern the Bloody Sunday inquiry, is appropriate as it contains measures to protect national security.
The group has campaigned for a judicial inquiry into the Finucane case since 1992 and claims that the evidence it has gathered points to police and British army involvement in the murder.
The letter to Mr Blair states: "We believe that only a full, independent, public inquiry can determine the full scope of security force involvement in the murder." It continues: "Further delays must be prevented to prevent any additional loss or destruction of evidence and unavailability of key witnesses."
The group refers to the initial investigation by the retired Canadian Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Peter Cory, and his recommendation that an independent public inquiry be held. The letter is signed by Mr Michael Posner, the group's executive director.