Pat Finucane's widow to seek damages against UK Government over investigation into his murder
and live on Freeview channel 276
A judge was also told that Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris
will provide a timeframe next week for taking a new decision on whether to
order a public inquiry.
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Hide AdThe developments came in a challenge by the lawyer’s family to an ongoing
failure to establish such a probe.
Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead by loyalist paramilitary gunmen in front of
his wife Geraldine and three children at their north Belfast home in
February 1989.
His family have campaigned ever since for a public inquiry to establish the
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assassinations during the Troubles.
In 2019 the UK Supreme Court declared that previous investigations into the
killing failed to meet standards required by Article 2 of the European
Convention on Human Rights.
Since then, Mrs Finucane has mounted further legal battles against the
Government’s response to that finding.
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Hide AdIn November 2020 former Secretary of State Brandon Lewis announced there
would not be a public inquiry at this stage because he wanted other police
review processes to run their course.
He was ordered then to pay £7,500 damages to Mrs Finucane for the excessive
delay in reaching that position.
The current challenge centred on the legality of that decision to await the
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Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI).
Last month a High Court judge ruled that the Government remains in breach
of Article 2 by the ongoing delay in completing a probe which meets those
legal requirements.
Mr Justice Scoffield quashed the decision not to establish a public inquiry
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Hide Adat this stage, and held that Mr Lewis unlawfully failed to reconsider that
position following the conclusion of a police review process.
He directed that a fresh decision must now be taken on how to address the
continued investigative deficiencies within a set timeframe.
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Hide AdThe judge said Mrs Finucane found herself “in a sorry situation” nearly
four years after the Supreme Court’s declaration.
Ordering the current Secretary of State to reconsider the Government’s
response to those findings, he set out the need for a fresh decision on
holding a public inquiry with full reasons provided.
At a further hearing today, Mrs Finucane’s barrister confirmed she will be
seeking costs for her legal action.
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Hide AdFiona Doherty KC added: “It is our submission that the applicant is
entitled to damages.”
Counsel for Mr Heaton-Harris, Paul McLaughlin KC, said a final position has
not yet been reached on the proposed timescale for a decision.
“Part of any decision of this nature which may involve a public inquiry
involves consultation with the Prime Minister and across government,” Mr
McLaughlin said.
“It is expected that we will have that early next week.” ends
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