Finucane children renew calls for public inquiry

The children of murdered Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane have called for an independent public inquiry into their father's death following a BBC documentary containing fresh accusations that security forces colluded in the murder.

The current investigation into the murder led by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens, whose report is due for release in a few weeks, came in for criticism by Michael, John and Katherine Finucane who say they have no confidence in the investigation. They say that anything less than an independent public inquiry is "inadequate".

Michael 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."

The family went on to criticise the British government for not addressing the issue more thoroughly. He said that the British Prime Minister was now "part of the problem".

He added: "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."

However, Prime Minister Tony Blair has stressed the determination of the government to get to the bottom of the collusion allegations in the hope that "we can lay them to rest".

The Finucane’s press conference came two days after the broadcast of a BBC documentary in which a former British Army agent within the UDA, Ken Barrett, claimed that his handlers selected the solicitor as a target and allowed him safe passage to carry out the murder.

At one point Barrett, who is under the protection of the Stevens Inquiry in England, told journalist John Ware that Pat Finucane "would have been alive today if the peelers hadn't interfered".

Downing Street has deflected some criticism of its handling of the affair having appointed Canadian judge Peter Cory to investigate the Finucane murder and that of five other cases over whether they merit an independent public inquiry. The 76-year-old judge has said that his inquiry may not conclude for another two years.

The deputy chairman of the Policing Board, Denis Bradley, has also called on the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan to investigate the killing.

The controversy over the murder has also divided the first and deputy first ministers, with David Trimble dismissing the latest allegations as "somewhat sensationalist". His deputy Mark Durkan has said that there is now irrefutable evidence deserving the attention of an independent public inquiry.

The final part of the Panorama investigation will be aired on Sunday.

(GMcG)