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Finucane family urge US to ensure 'credible' UK inquiry

Pacemaker A black and white still of Pat Finucane, who is wearing a suit jacket, a shirt and striped tie. He is walking out of a court building while holding a folder and files.Pacemaker
The family of Pat Finucane are speaking at a hearing in Washington

The family of Pat Finucane have urged Washington to help ensure the UK government delivers a "credible" public inquiry into his murder.

They were speaking at a hearing at the United States Congress.

The UK government announced in September that an inquiry would be established into the solicitor's killing at his Belfast home in 1989.

His shooting by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) involved collusion with state agents.

Mr Finucane's son John, the Sinn Féin MP for north Belfast, told the hearing they are "no further on" regarding details about the inquiry.

He added: "This is not necessarily something we would criticise.

"We want to see that everyone is committed to doing this correctly, rather than expeditiously."

Inquiry should be 'independent from government'

The family suggested the inquiry should be headed by a panel of three judges.

Finucane continued: "The focus must now be on ensuring this process is credible, transparent and capable of gaining the trust and endorsement of those who have recognised its need.

"We want an inquiry to be independent from government and free to make its own determinations and recommendations.

"Terms of reference are critical."

Pacemaker A still of John Finucane standing outside a white-stone building. He has short greying hair and is wearing a blue suit jacket as well as a blue and white striped shirt. The background is blurred.Pacemaker
Pat Finucane's son John says he wants the inquiry to be "totally independent"

He said that the family look forward to engaging with both the government and inquiry on these terms.

"They will be crucial in determining from the outset the inquiry's ability to examine all of the circumstances leading up to, and following, my father's murder," he added.

The MP and other family members were appearing at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

Its co-chair, Congressman Christopher H Smith, said he was "hopeful" the inquiry would deliver.

"Let it be transparent. Let it be completely the truth," he added.

Who was Pat Finucane?

Pacemaker Pat Finucane walking up steps by a car park, he has short brown hair and is staring at the ground. He has a navy suit on with white shirt and black tie with red and grey stripes. Pacemaker
In February 1989 Pat Finucane was shot 14 times by two gunmen

Pat Finucane was a well known defence solicitor who frequently acted for high profile IRA members.

He also represented loyalists in his work.

In February 1989 he was shot 14 times by two gunmen.

His wife, Geraldine, was also wounded.

One of his sons is the Belfast North MP John Finucane, of Sinn Féin.

At an inquest into his death police refuted claims that Mr Finucane was in the IRA.

In 2012, Sir Desmond's report into the murder found there was agent involvement and that police took no action on threat intelligence regarding Mr Finucane.