The publication of an inquiry into the murder of Rosemary Nelson will take place after the Northern Ireland assembly elections.
The 40-year-old solicitor, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, was killed after a bomb exploded under her car in March 1999.
An inquiry into her death was launched following claims that the mother-of-three had been intimidated by members of the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries.
In a statement this afternoon, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Owen Paterson said the report could not be published during the election campaign.
A date for publication will be confirmed after 5 May, he added.
