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Patrick Finucane Murder
11 September 2024
Lead MP
Hilary Benn
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Hilary Benn raised concerns about patrick finucane murder in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
With permission, I would like to make a statement about the death of human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane who was murdered in his home by loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association on February 12, 1989. Despite several investigations and reviews over the years, including an international judge's recommendation for public inquiries into specific cases in 2004, no inquiry has been established for Finucane's case until now. The minister emphasised that establishing an independent inquiry is necessary to meet human rights obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In July and recently, the minister met with Mrs Finucane and her family who asked for a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, which the Government has now agreed to do, in line with Supreme Court rulings and recent court judgments. The decision was made after considering potential costs and the need for transparency without unnecessary expenses due to existing investigative foundations. However, given the unique circumstances of the case and the commitment made by previous governments, a public inquiry is deemed appropriate.
Paul Girvan
DUP
East Londonderry
Question
The DUP's Paul Girvan asks if the minister has met with victims and survivors of the troubles outside the Finucane family, and whether their views will be taken into account.
Minister reply
Yes, the Secretary of State has been consulting widely, including victims from across Northern Ireland. He is committed to ensuring that all relevant voices are heard in the inquiry process.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Question
The DUP's Gavin Robinson asks about the specific measures being taken by the Government to ensure that the inquiry will not inadvertently lead to a precedent for more inquiries in similar cases.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State emphasises that this is an exceptional case due to previous commitments and legal rulings. He reassures that there are no plans to set precedents but rather to address unique circumstances appropriately.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Question
The MP welcomed the statement but raised concerns about setting a precedent with public inquiries, questioning what a full inquiry would offer that the ICRIR cannot provide. He urged swift establishment of the inquiry, including appointing a chair and agreeing terms of reference before the end of the year. He also inquired about cost considerations and the Government's commitment not to repeal sections of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 that established ICRIR.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by confirming the unique circumstances of the Finucane case, noting previous commitments by the government to a public inquiry. He assured swift establishment of the inquiry while respecting cost considerations and ensuring it is as efficient as possible. The Minister also committed to considering further steps to strengthen ICRIR's independence and powers without repealing its creation under the legacy Act.
Colum Eastwood
SDLP
Foyle
Question
The MP commended Geraldine Finucane for her tireless campaigning and thanked the Minister for announcing the inquiry. He asked when the inquiry is expected to begin.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked Colum Eastwood for his supportive words and committed to beginning the inquiry as soon as possible, respecting necessary legal processes.
James MacCleary
Lib Dem
Lewes
Question
The MP welcomed the statement but asked about acknowledging wider needs for truth and justice in Northern Ireland. He requested a wider statement on repealing the legacy Act, clarification on the inquiry's ability to compel documents and witnesses, and enquired about timelines.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the Liberal Democrats' concerns and committed to developing proposals that address these issues. He emphasised the need for swift establishment of the Finucane inquiry while fulfilling necessary legal duties.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South and Mid Down
Question
The brutal murder of Pat Finucane in front of his wife and children was mired in collusion before the killing, as it has been in the many long years since. Today is about the tenacity of the Finucane family, including my constituency neighbour the hon. Member for Belfast North (John Finucane), but it will have resonance for many other victims of the troubles whose needs have, for many years, been put behind the needs of the victim-makers who want the truth to remain covered up. I am so glad that the truth may now finally out for this family. As the Secretary of State knows, many other families have faced obstruction from state and non-state actors in their quest for truth and a reconciled future. I am thinking of families such as those of the victims of Freddie Scappaticci, the family of Sean Brown, and many others. Will the Secretary of State commit to the same swiftness and determination in removing the barriers that have been placed in front of those families in their quest for truth?
Minister reply
The hon. Member has alluded to a number of cases. Of course, we are awaiting the final report on Operation Kenova, the interim report having been published early this year. I undertake and make a commitment, as any holder of this office would do, to carefully consider each individual case and reach what I think is a sensible way forward. Collectively, there is a huge task for all of us in playing our part in enabling families to find out answers that they have not yet had. In that context, I welcome the ICRIR’s announcement on Monday this week that it has had 85 inquiries and has already agreed to start looking into eight cases.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Question
Can I press the Secretary of State further on the issue of other families? Months ago, under the previous Government, those families saw a Bill—which I did not support—repressing and restricting their ability to have inquests. Today, they see a full public inquiry being announced for another family. Will the Secretary of State update the House on what personal engagement he will have with those families? Inevitably, they are going to say, “We have got a public inquiry in this case, but we are being asked to wait in the queue for this legacy Bill inquest body.” They will think something is not right about that.
Minister reply
I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, who was such a distinguished holder of the office I now hold, for raising that point. Over the past three weeks, I have met a number of those families whose inquests were brought to an end—some because of the 1 May portcullis that came down and brought an end to the inquests; others because the coroners had said, “We don’t think we can take this any further because of issues to do with confidential material.” I undertake to the House to reach a decision in those cases and inform the families as quickly as possible.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement, and I am sure all colleagues give thanks that Northern Ireland and its people now live in peace. Can the Secretary of State tell us how he thinks this announcement will help contribute to continued and meaningful reconciliation in Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
For one family, this now provides a process, but I am very conscious that many other families will say, “What about us?” That is why we need to find the most effective means to get to the truth, and that is part of the reason, as I have explained, why I decided that we would not get rid of the commission. I have met Sir Declan Morgan a number of times, and I have confidence in his ability to do his work.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Question
One of the things the Secretary of State did not outline in his statement was that the Supreme Court considered whether it was appropriate not to proceed with a public inquiry, and that the Supreme Court agreed, provided that an investigation could satisfy article 2 compliance. He has said today that the ICRIR not only has his trust and confidence, but has the ability to perform such tasks for other families. So when he rightly says that families across Northern Ireland will ask the question, “What about us?”, so too do I, because the most exceptional circumstance about this is the exceptionality of treatment. Over 1,200 families still have neither truth nor justice, and if the plans enacted last year continue, they will never get justice. I would ask him, in repudiating the ICRIR and suggesting today that it is not an appropriate mechanism for the Finucane family—and I do not besmirch their grief or their quest for truth and justice—but it is appropriate for every other, how can he honestly look victims in the eye and say that there is not a hierarchy?
Minister reply
There should not be a hierarchy, and the right hon. Gentleman and I shared reservations with—indeed opposition to—the legacy Act because it did cut off lots of routes to justice. In the end, I think families should have the opportunity to avail themselves of inquests and civil cases, but the commission is now in existence. The honest answer to his question is that in this particular case, and this does not apply to any of the others, the Government of our country made a commitment twice—once at Weston Park, and secondly by the then Secretary of State—to establish a public inquiry.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Question
The state collusion in the murder of a human rights lawyer in front of his wife and children is an incredibly serious matter that chills us all, so I very much welcome the decision by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. It is a decision to be welcomed, and it is a good signal from our new Government that they are meeting their commitments and obligations. However, this very welcome announcement must of course be followed by the action that the Secretary of State has rightly outlined. Will my right hon. Friend therefore give further reassurance to this House that all necessary resources will be provided, so that there can be truth and justice in this incredibly important matter?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour for what he has said. Having made this decision, I think all of us would recognise the need to get on with it as swiftly as possible.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
This is a bad decision today. It will cause anger and further hurt for the many hundreds of families who have not had justice for the murder of their loved ones, including the mass murder of Protestant workmen at Kingsmill, the blowing up of Protestant workmen at Teebane and the horrendous murder of worshippers at Tullyvallen, among others. I think the Secretary of State has to explain to the House why, after tens of millions of pounds have been spent on inquiries and reviews of this case, he still believes it is necessary to acquiesce in the demands of the family by having another inquiry. How does he justify it to those hundreds of families that no such resources will be put in place to seek out the truth about the murders of their family members? Given the record of inquiries of this nature being a golden goose for barristers and solicitors in Northern Ireland, how is he going to ensure that the costs are capped?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member recounts some of the terrible murders, and I have myself met, as I am sure others have, the only survivor of the Kingsmill massacre and heard at first hand the truly chilling story of what happened on that day. First, considerable resources are now being given to the independent commission, and it is important to recognise that, because it has a huge task on its hands.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Question
Will the Secretary of State clarify that he has now ended any opportunity for families and loved ones who lost their relatives to terrorism in Northern Ireland to seek an inquiry into these deaths, and can he confirm that those families are limited to using the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery?
Minister reply
The independent commission is not the only option available; this Government will restore civil cases and inquests where they had been stopped by the legacy Act. The Government will work towards primary legislation, which will take time.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
Can the Secretary of State provide a rough timeline for establishing an inquiry based on the Finucane case and indicate how long it might take to bring about a resolution?
Minister reply
The Government aims to establish the inquiry as quickly as possible, but the exact timeframe is determined by the judge appointed.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Will families affected by the Kingsmill massacre be granted the same path to justice as the Finucane family, or will this decision create a two-tier system of justice for victims?
Minister reply
The independent commission is an option for families seeking further action. The Kingsmill case has had an inquest that held the Provisional IRA responsible; however, the specific circumstances of the Finucane case make it exceptional.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
Is this decision giving preferential treatment to the Finucane family and creating a hierarchy of victims in Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
The decision is based on the unique circumstances of the Finucane case, including the unprecedented apology from the Prime Minister acknowledging shocking collusion. The Government aims to comply with its obligations under article 2.
Shadow Comment
Alex Burghart
Shadow Comment
The Opposition supports the findings that while no overarching state conspiracy was found in Finucane's murder, there were shocking levels of collusion. The shadow expresses gratitude for bringing forward the statement before recess but questions the choice to go with a full public inquiry over alternatives like the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which already has powers to compel witnesses and take evidence in public. The shadow asks what additional benefits a public inquiry will provide, and seeks assurances that it can start quickly given its current staff readiness. He also enquires about the costs involved and whether terms of reference will be agreed upon before year-end. Finally, he urges clarity on why this case is unique to avoid setting a precedent for more inquiries.
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