Any inquiry into Pat Finucane should examine all the claims as to him having republican links

The call for an inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane seems to me to neglect a major part of his life.

If there is going to be a public inquiry into such an important individual, it surely merits a full investigations into various allegations as to his republican links.

Ruth Dudley Edwards cited some of these (‘Millions more on Finucane would be insult to all victims,’ December 1), including the views of a former RUC chief constable, which must carry significant weight.

An inquiry would also have to look into activities of those of his brothers who were convicted of terrorist activities.

What would be wrong with disclosure of any intelligence reports in respect of him and them?

I was often working in the High Court doing criminal and civil around the time Pat Finucane was murdered.

It was common knowledge that the then lord chief justice, the late Brian Hutton, wanted to attend the funeral, which would have meant attending with his police bodyguards, but was advised by a senior figure in the legal profession (now deceased), who was familiar with west Belfast, that this would be unsafe due to the large number of republicans who would be present.

Any inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane needs to examine all such claims.

Lyle Cubitt, Retired solicitor, Ballymena

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor