UK govt pushes through Inquiries Bill
Thursday, 7 April 2005 21:54
The British government has pushed through what the SDLP has called 'dirty' new legislation on the Pat Finucane inquiry.
The controversial Inquiries Bill went through its final stages in the House of Lords and will come into law when royal assent is given.
Mr Finucane, a Belfast solicitor, was shot dead 16 years ago by loyalist paramilitaries amidst allegations of collusion by British security agencies.
Canadian judge Peter Cory recommended a public inquiry into the killing of Mr Finucane.
He later criticised the form of inquiry put forward by the Prime Minister, saying new British legislation would make a meaningful inquiry impossible.
Now as Parliament is about to be dissolved Tony Blair has pushed through the inquiries bill, which allows a British government minister to limit the public scope of any future inquiry.
The Finucane family say they will not co-operate with any such investigation.
