The European Court of Human Rights has upheld action taken by the widow of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane over the RUC investigation into his death.

The Court found that the investigation into Mr Finucane's killing had been insufficient and flawed.

In its decision, the court statement said: "The police investigation into the murder had been started immediately and had involved the necessary steps to secure evidence.

"However, it had been conducted by officers who were part of the police force suspected by the applicant of making death threats against her husband.

"There had therefore been a lack of independence, which raised serious doubts as to the thoroughness or effectiveness with which the possibility of collusion had been pursued."

Mr Finucane was shot dead in front of his wife and three children at their Belfast home in 1989 by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

His wife Geraldine subsequently criticised the RUC's investigation into her husband's death.

It later emerged during an investigation into alleged collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries that police and army had colluded with the UDA in Mr Finucane's death.

Several loyalists have been at the centre of the Finucane murder inquiry including Brian Nelson, Ken Barratt and William Stobie, who was once charged with Mr Finucane's murder after allegedly supplying the weapons. He was later shot dead by former associates in December 2001.

The Government will now have to pay 43,000 euro worth of costs and expenses to Mrs Finucane as a result of the verdict.

(MB)