Will extent of British state collusion in Pat Finucane’s murder be revealed?

The prominent human rights lawyer was killed in front of his family in 1989

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Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane who was murdered in 1989.
Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane who was murdered in 1989.

The UK government has ordered a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, the Belfast solicitor shot dead in 1989 by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in collusion with British forces.

But why now? His family, led by his widow, have for 35 years pressed Westminster for a public inquiry to get to the truth of why Finucane was killed and to reveal the true extent of the collusion of the British state in his murder.

For decades, successive UK governments had resisted a campaign by the family for a full public inquiry into the killing.

London correspondent Mark Paul explains the timing – and the reaction to the announcement.

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Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast