DUP man trying to blacken Finucane name, says Kelly
Policing board members clash over remarks on murdered solicitor
POLICING Board members have clashed after a DUP MLA referenced claims Pat Finucane was associated with the IRA.
Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly accused Mervyn Storey of trying to “blacken the name” of the late solicitor while SDLP member Dolores Kelly also raised objections.
The board was discussing the UK Government’s decision this week not to hold an immediate public inquiry into the killing of Mr Finucane in 1989, a move branded an insult by the solicitor’s family.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said he was not taking a public inquiry off the table but said further examinations of the case by police and the Police Ombudsman should conclude first.
However, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne told the board yesterday: “It’s fair to say the previous investigations and reports satisfy us that there remain no viable lines of inquiry.”
Mr Finucane (39) was shot dead in his family home in north Belfast in February 1989 by the UDA in an attack found to have involved collusion with the state.
Mr Storey told Mr Byrne the PSNI could not allow itself to be “bullied” into bumping the Finucane case up the queue of outstanding legacy investigations.
The North Antrim MLA described the murder as a “horrendous, terrible crime” and said the perpetrators needed to be brought to justice.
But he added: “Let’s remember that your former chief constable of the RUC the late Sir John Hermon said that Pat Finucane was associated with the IRA and he used his position as a lawyer to act as a contact between suspects in custody and republicans on the outside.
“Let’s remember al so his brother broke out of the Maze and there is somebody on this board and in this room (Mr Kelly) who also was involved in that activity.”
He said he wanted to ensure there “is no hierarchy of investigation”.
Mr Kelly branded Mr Storey’s comments an “absolute disgrace”.
“He should apologise to the family. He has often talked about victims here,” he said. “And yet he has no such sensitivities when it comes to the Finucane family and he is adding to their distress by saying what he said and he is only saying it because a person who has passed away cannot be defamed in law or libelled.
“I am astounded that he would say that.”
Mrs Kelly urged Mr Storey to “reflect” on his remarks.
“I really do object to Mervyn’s comments,” the SDLP MLA said.
“We want to see all victims to get to the truth and justice that they campaign for and that which they deserve.
“And we regret the fact, very much so, that the police have been brought in once again by the Secretary of State into the Finucane inquiry and the failure of the British Government to uphold its international agreements and obligations, as the Supreme Court judgment reflected on.
“We think the Secretary of State has behaved woefully far short of anyone in public life in any level of integrity in relation to victims of the conflict.”
Mr Byrne said the “first step of a review process” will start next week after careful consideration, but it’s also worth stressing that we’ve made it plain that this is a very complex case, that the remedies themselves are complex