The Committee - Northern Ireland Death Squads

[Jan Klimkowski]

I'm sure the spooks already have their own copy.

However, just in case they're not aware of who's been blowing the whistle on their nefarious activities, the British government is ensuring they get a viewing prior to publication with the power to redact.

Security force chiefs to review Pat Finucane report

Members of forces to examine QC's findings despite allegations of police and army collusion in Belfast solicitor's killing

Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent

guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 31 October 2012 15.51 GMT


Senior members of the security forces will be able to examine a report on the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane even though elements of the police and army are accused of colluding in the killing.

The Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, said the security chiefs would review the document to ensure it did not put lives at risk. The concern centred on the potential exposure of sources and informants within paramilitary organisations, she said.

Finucane was shot dead in front of his family at their north Belfast home in 1989. He was killed by the Ulster Defence Association, which was heavily infiltrated by RUC special branch and the army's intelligence units.

Up to 29 members of the UDA in north and west Belfast who had knowledge of or direct involvement in the Finucane murder turned out to be paid informants of one of the security forces.

The government commissioned Sir Desmond de Silva, a leading QC, to undertake a legal review of the case last year. This angered members of the Finucane family, who said it fell well short of the full public inquiry for which they had long campaigned.

Relatives subsequently launched a legal challenge against David Cameron's refusal to establish an inquiry.

Villiers said it was unlikely that any material would need to be redacted but the government had a legal obligation to carry out the checks.