Finucane widow holds talks with Paisley

The widow of murdered solicitor Patrick Finucane has today had a meeting with Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley.

The aim behind the meeting was to ask for the DUP leader's help in forcing the British government to drop plans to hold a public inquiry into Mr Finucane' s murder under the auspices of the Inquiries Act, which was passed last year.

Human Rights campaigners have backed the Finucane family and believe that the Act gives the British government licence to withhold vital or incriminating information.

Geraldine Finucane spent over an hour in the discussion with Dr Paisley at Stormont, and said: "Dr Paisley and the rest of the members of the DUP were more than willing to listen to what we had to say."

However she would not divulge whether he was willing to support her fight against the government.

Patrick Finucane, 39, was shot dead in front of his family 17-years ago by a loyalist gunman.

His murder has been one of the most controversial of the troubles as collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and security forces has always been suspected.

A public inquiry into the shooting of the north Belfast solicitor was recommended by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory in 2004, as well as other cases where paramilitary and police collaboration is suspected such as the murder of Co Armagh solicitor Rosemary Nelson, Portadown man Robert Hamill and LVF leader Billy Wright.

A previous police report by former Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir John Stevens revealed that security forces had colluded in Mr Finucane's murder and the Finucane family have told Government that they will not co-operate with the inquiry, for which they have long campaigned, if it is set up under the terms of the Inquiries Act.

Secretary of State, Peter Hain told them recently it was an inquiry under the Act or nothing.

The family have decided to continue with their campaign for an inquiry that will reveal the truth behind the solicitor's death, and have been offered support from Judge Peter Cory, Lord Saville, and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

(EF/SP)