Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Patrick Finucane Inquiry

09 March 2026 · Northern Ireland Office

Proposed by Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South

Northern Ireland

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Government has published the Terms of Reference for the Patrick Finucane Inquiry.
  • Sir Gary Hickinbottom has been appointed as the Chair of the Inquiry.
  • The Baroness O'Loan and Francesca Del Mese are serving as Assessors for the Inquiry.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the establishment and formal Terms of Reference for the Patrick Finucane Inquiry.

Action requested

The Government has published the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, appointing Sir Gary Hickinbottom as Chair and The Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors. The Inquiry is now formally established under the Inquiries Act 2005.

Key facts

  • The inquiry was established under the Inquiries Act 2005.
  • Sir Gary Hickinbottom is the Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry.
  • The Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese are Assessors to the Inquiry.
  • The Terms of Reference were developed following consultation with Sir Gary Hickinbottom and the Finucane family.
  • The document contains 1642.3KB.
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