Hilary Benn Announces Public Inquiry Into Pat Finucane Murder

Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, has announced a decision to establish an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane.

The 39-year-old solicitor was shot dead at his home in front of his wife and children by loyalist paramilitaries in February 1989.

Previous investigations of Mr Finucane's murder have recorded evidence of state collusion.

Highlighting that the new UK government take their human rights obligations, and its responsibilities to victims and survivors of the Troubles, "extremely seriously", Hilary Benn said: "The plain fact is that two decades on, the commitment made by the Government – first in the agreement with the Irish Government, and then to this House - to establish an inquiry into the death of Mr Finucane remains unfulfilled.

"It is for this exceptional reason that I have decided to establish an independent inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane under the 2005 Inquiries Act."

Welcoming the announcement, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP, said: "I welcome the decisive intervention made by the Labour Government today. Calling a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane is long overdue but it remains the right and just course of action.

"Geraldine and her family have been forced to fight for an Article 2 compliant investigation into Pat's murder for far too long. Despite clear commitments entered into under agreements reached at Weston Park and the recommendations of Judge Peter Cory, they have been badly let down by successive governments that have reneged on promises and instead deliberately and agonisingly delayed truth and justice. It is a story that is far too familiar to victims and survivors from every community.

"Last month I wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to act following the significant Court of Appeal ruling in Belfast. I am pleased for Geraldine and her family that they will now get the investigation they should have had decades ago.

"This must be a turning point for legacy investigations. It should be the moment where we agree to deal with the past comprehensively and ethically. The SDLP remains committed to that position and we will engage with the government in good faith as they consult on the way forward for legacy investigations. We cannot fail victims and survivors again."