US Congress members urge government to hold inquiry into Finucane murder

by Q Radio News and PA Media

The UK government 'must end years of delay' and establish an independent inquiry into collusion in the 1989 murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane.

That's according to more than 20 members of the US Congress who have signed a letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

It comes after Secretary of State says a decision on whether to hold a public inquiry into the murder will be made within days.

The 39 year old Belfast solicitor was shot in 1989 in front of his family by loyalist paramilitaries, amid claims of collusion with state security forces.

Representative Richard Neal is the chairman of the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus in the United State Congress.

He said: “As chairman of the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus in the United State Congress, I once again join my colleagues calling on the British government to hold a public inquiry into the killing of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane.

"I continue to believe the Finucane family has a right to truth and justice and that is why I have worked closely with them on this case on both sides of the Atlantic for more than three decades. They deserve to know what happened in February of 1989 and the level of state collusion into the murder of their husband and father. This letter is calling on the British government to be accountable.”

There has also been calls for a public inquiry from the Taoiseach Micheal Martin, along with the Labour, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Alliance and Green parties.

Brandon Lewis spoke to Q Radio:

🎥 Secretary of State @BrandonLewis outlines why only healthcare workers are exempt from the public sector pay freeze.

It's after calls from the @PoliceFedforNI for PSNI officers to be given a pay rise.

He also addressed the issue of whether NI businesses are ready for Brexit. pic.twitter.com/vWw5je74V4

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 25, 2020

The Taioseach said his government fully supported the family's call.

He said the British Government “should and must” hold a public inquiry into the murder.

Micheal Martin told the Irish parliament the Finucane family have the “full weight” of the government behind their endeavour to seek justice for Mr Finucane’s killing.

He also said he would be making his position clear to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the court deadline of November 30 for the British Government to respond to a UK Supreme Court ruling made last year.

The Taoiseach said the Government had already reaffirmed its position on the issue to the Northern Ireland Secretary of State through the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

“For more than 30 years, Geraldine and her family have campaigned tirelessly to get to the truth of what happened to Pat,” the Fianna Fail leader said.

“It’s been a very long journey and they have conducted it with great dignity and determination. The Irish government has walked with them on that journey and will continue to do so until the commitments entered into at Weston Park are honoured.”