Patrick Finucane Murder

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, announced that the Government will establish an independent public inquiry into the 1989 murder of Patrick Finucane, a human rights lawyer who was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his family. Benn explained that this decision was made due to the exceptional circumstances of the case, including the Government's previous commitments to hold a public inquiry that have remained unfulfilled. The official opposition, represented by Alex Burghart of the Conservative Party, welcomed the announcement but raised several questions. Burghart asked what the public inquiry would be able to achieve that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) could not, given the ICRIR's powers to compel witnesses and secure document disclosure. He also sought assurances about the timely establishment of the inquiry and its costs. Burghart cautioned against setting a precedent that could lead to many more public inquiries into Troubles-related deaths. The debate that followed saw contributions from members across the political spectrum. Several speakers, including Colum Eastwood of the SDLP and James MacCleary of the Liberal Democrats, welcomed the announcement and praised the Finucane family's tireless campaign. They urged the Government to address the wider need for truth and justice for all victims of the Troubles. Other members, such as Gavin Robinson of the DUP and Sammy Wilson of the DUP, expressed concerns about the differential treatment of the Finucane case compared to other victims' families who have not been granted public inquiries. They argued that this risked creating a "hierarchy of victims" and questioned the justification for the public inquiry in this particular case. The Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, reiterated that the Finucane case was exceptional due to the Government's previous commitments, and he sought to reassure members that the ICRIR would remain in place and be further strengthened. Benn also committed to engaging with other victims' families and exploring options to provide them with avenues for truth and justice, including through inquests and civil cases. Overall, the debate highlighted the complex and sensitive nature of dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, with members grappling with the balance between providing answers to individual families and ensuring a fair and equitable approach for all victims.