Finucane family devastated

The widow of murdered Belfast lawyer Pat Finucane has said that "the word of the British prime minister is not to be trusted".

Geraldine Finucane was speaking at a press conference, three days after she said the family was lured to Downing Street "under false pretences."

On Tuesday of last week, the Finucane family walked out of a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron after he told them that a QC (barrister) would review papers in the case but that there would be no inquiry.

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Pat Finucane was shot dead by loyalists in his North Belfast home in 1989 and the widely accepted view in the intervening years is that the killers were assisted by elements in the British intelligence services and security forces.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed to set up an inquiry into Finucane's murder in 2004. However, the Finucane family are opposed to the probe being held under legislation outlined by Blair, and have instead called for a fully independent public inquiry.

Speaking on Friday, Mrs. Finucane said she could not believe the family had been invited to Downing Street just to be refused something which had been offered many years ago.

"The fact that David Cameron did so and in such a public fashion ranked as one of the most cruel and devastating experiences of my life," Mrs. Finucane said.

"His actions prove beyond doubt that the word of the British prime minister is not to be trusted," she said.

"The case of Pat Finucane shows that British prime ministers no longer keep their promises."

She said she had no faith in the review and wanted an independent inquiry.

The family also claimed that in a recent telephone conversation between a senior Northern Ireland Office official and their lawyer, Peter Madden, it was stated that Mr. Cameron was confident that they would be happy with what was on offer.

On Friday, the Northern Ireland Office said: "The prime minister invited the family to Downing Street yesterday so that he could apologize to them in person.

"The secretary of state set out the government's position in his statement on Wednesday. We strongly believe that this will be the quickest and most effective way of getting to the truth."

The refusal to hold an inquiry has drawn widespread criticism, and also support for the Finucane family from many quarters, not least the Irish government.

Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Eamonn Gilmore has criticized Prime Minister Cameron's stance, this after he met with the Finucane family in Dublin on Monday.

Gilmore said Dublin had already made known its dissatisfaction and disappointment and would be preparing a formal response in the coming days.

"There are sometimes occasions when frank disagreements arise between states. "This is one on this occasion," Gilmore said.

Both Gilmore and Taoiseach Enda Kenny have expressed their dissatisfaction personally with Mr. Cameron and Northern Ireland Secretary of State Owen Paterson, according to reports.

And SDLP justice spokesperson, Alban Maginness said: "After all this length of time one would have expected better from the British government and prime minister on an issue that runs deep into the British military and security complex."

 

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