Britain to Launch Public Inquiry into 1989 Murder of Human Rights Lawyer Pat Finucane

The UK government has announced a public inquiry into the 1989 murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane. Finucane was killed by pro-British loyalist militants with alleged collusion from British security forces. Multiple reviews have corroborated these claims of collusion, fuelling demands for justice from his family and human rights groups.

The UK government has confirmed it will hold a public inquiry into the 1989 murder of renowned human rights lawyer Pat Finucane. He was assassinated in his home by pro-British loyalist militants, which an independent review in 2012 found had collusion with British security forces.

For decades, allegations of collusion have tainted the Protestant-dominated security forces in Northern Ireland, confirmed by numerous reports. In 2004, a judge-led inquiry recommended a public investigation, and the Northern Ireland minister promised such an inquiry.

Despite the recommendation, the British government opted for an independent review in 2011. The 2012 review led then-PM David Cameron to admit to shocking levels of state collusion. The Finucane family took their fight to the UK Supreme Court in 2019, which ruled in their favor. However, calls for a public inquiry were rejected in 2020 over concerns it would affect an ongoing investigation by Northern Irish police.

(With inputs from agencies.)