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20/06/2002
Blair pledges to look into collusion allegations
British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, says he is determined to get to the bottom of the allegations of collusion raised in last night's BBC Panorama programme.
The programme claimed elements within the north's police force and military intelligence collaborated with loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. Mr Finucane was shot in front of his family at his home in 1989.
Earlier, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble rejected calls for an immediate judicial inquiry into the murder. The First Minister described the Panorama programme as "somewhat sensationalist".
However Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan has said a public inquiry is now vital.
“The stench of collusion is now so overwhelming that it is impossible to justify resisting a full public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. Confidence in the rule of law requires nothing else,” he said.
The first half of the two-part programme, screened on Wednesday, said elements within Northern Ireland's police and military intelligence collaborated with loyalist paramilitaries in the late 1980s over the murder of Catholics. The second part of the Panorama investigation will be aired on Sunday, 23 June.
Meanwhile the Policing Board reaffirmed that it would await the full report from Sir John Stevens, before making any definitive judgements.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the murdered solicitor’s widow Geraldine said Tony Blair should establish a public inquiry forthwith.
“John Ware’s documentary is a powerful piece of investigative journalism,” she said.
“It is difficult to think of anything more serious than to accuse a government of systematically murdering its own citizens as a matter of policy. It is only a matter of time before a public inquiry is established.
“The longer the delay the more determined the family will be, in pursuing truth and justice”.
Since 1989, Sir John Stevens, who is now Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been investigating the allegation that shadowy elements within military intelligence and the RUC special branch were colluding with loyalist assassination squads. His report is expected to be published later this summer.
(AMcE)
The programme claimed elements within the north's police force and military intelligence collaborated with loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. Mr Finucane was shot in front of his family at his home in 1989.
Earlier, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble rejected calls for an immediate judicial inquiry into the murder. The First Minister described the Panorama programme as "somewhat sensationalist".
However Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan has said a public inquiry is now vital.
“The stench of collusion is now so overwhelming that it is impossible to justify resisting a full public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. Confidence in the rule of law requires nothing else,” he said.
The first half of the two-part programme, screened on Wednesday, said elements within Northern Ireland's police and military intelligence collaborated with loyalist paramilitaries in the late 1980s over the murder of Catholics. The second part of the Panorama investigation will be aired on Sunday, 23 June.
Meanwhile the Policing Board reaffirmed that it would await the full report from Sir John Stevens, before making any definitive judgements.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the murdered solicitor’s widow Geraldine said Tony Blair should establish a public inquiry forthwith.
“John Ware’s documentary is a powerful piece of investigative journalism,” she said.
“It is difficult to think of anything more serious than to accuse a government of systematically murdering its own citizens as a matter of policy. It is only a matter of time before a public inquiry is established.
“The longer the delay the more determined the family will be, in pursuing truth and justice”.
Since 1989, Sir John Stevens, who is now Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been investigating the allegation that shadowy elements within military intelligence and the RUC special branch were colluding with loyalist assassination squads. His report is expected to be published later this summer.
(AMcE)
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