Inquiry into death of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane shows ‘shocking levels of collusion’

Finucane was never warned of the serious threats against his life

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Geraldine Finucane (2nd L), the widow of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, poses for a photograph with her children John (L), Katherine (2nd R) and Michael (R) in central London December 12, 2012.

Photo by ANDREW WINNING/REUTERS

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Speaking before the House of Commons on Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron called the “shocking levels of collusion” the inquiry highlighted as “unacceptable.” He also apologized to the Finucane family saying, “I am deeply sorry,” and that Pat Finucane’s murder was an “appalling crime.”

Prime Minister Cameron also said that while he respects the Finucane’s family’s view that the da Silva report may not be the right approach, he ultimately disagreed with them, citing that a public inquiry may not have uncovered as much information. He also added that he hoped the findings would be instrumental in moving Northern Ireland’s peace process even further.

Finucane’s widow Geraldine, however, when speaking at a British press conference, said that the report was “a sham... a whitewash... a confidence trick” and that, “This report is not the truth.” She again called for a public independent inquiry into her husband’s murder.

Geraldine’s desire for a public inquiry was echoed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil on Wednesday that the Government would press the case for it at every opportunity. Sinn Féin and the SDLP also supported the call from the Finucane family for a full independent inquiry.

John Finucane, who was only 8 when his father was murdered, said that he and his family would approach the da Silva report with an open mind, but noted how "our past record does not fill us with hope".

He added, "If it is a review that puts all our questions to bed then there will be nobody happier than me to move on with our lives."

John Finucane told BBC News Radio 4 that “This is something which doesn’t just affect my family. It affects a very large section of society in Ireland.”

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