Sir John Stevens delivered his report to Hugh Orde
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The retired judge who will help decide if there is a public inquiry into collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries objected to the release of the Stevens Report, according to political sources.
They say Judge Peter Cory believed it intruded on his role which is to recommend whether there should be judicial inquiries into the case of Pat Finucane and five other cases in which collusion has been alleged.
The Canadian judge, who was appointed by the government to look into the cases, has refused to comment on the claims.
In Thursday's report, the UK's most senior police officer, Sir John Stevens, found members of the RUC and Army colluded with the largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), to murder Catholics.
Nationalist politicians have called on Judge Cory to bring forward the publication of his own report.
Earlier this week the government released a statement making clear that Mr Justice Cory had finished investigating Pat Finucane's murder, as well as the cases of the Portadown Catholic Robert Hamill and the LVF leader Billy Wright.
His reports are now stored in a secure location in Canada.
Up to 20 Army and police personnel could face criminal charges in the wake of the Stevens Report, which alleged that rogue elements colluded with loyalist killers.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is considering whether criminal charges should be brought.
The latest report, called Stevens Three, also found military intelligence in Northern Ireland helped to prolong the Troubles in the late 1980s.
Its key findings were:
Actions or omissions by security forces led to deaths of innocent people
Murders of solicitor Pat Finucane and student Adam Lambert could have been prevented.
Collusion in both murders of Pat Finucane and Adam Lambert
Government minister was compromised in House of Commons
Three official inquiries wilfully obstructed and misled
The report, which centres on the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989 and Protestant student Adam Lambert in 1987, was delivered to Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Thursday.
Sir John said: "I have uncovered enough evidence to lead me to believe that the murders of Pat Finucane and Brian Adam Lambert could have been prevented.
"I also believe that the RUC investigation of Pat Finucane's murder should have resulted in the early arrest and detection of his killers.
I conclude there was collusion in both murders and the circumstances surrounding them
Sir John Stevens
Metropolitan Police Commissioner
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"I conclude there was collusion in both murders and the circumstances surrounding them."
The overwhelming bulk of the detail has been withheld because of potential future prosecutions.
A statement issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions' office said: "The contents of these files which are voluminous will be given careful and expeditious consideration."
After receiving the report, the chief constable said Sir John in his 21 recommendations had stressed the importance of the criminal investigation.
The Finucane family has always believed the security forces were involved in his murder and have dismissed the report.
His widow, Geraldine, said a full judicial inquiry was the only way to deal with the issue.
Mr Finucane, a high-profile Catholic solicitor, was shot dead by the UDA in front of his family at his north Belfast home.
The deputy chairman of the Policing Board, Denis Bradley, said a public inquiry into the killing may be a major let-down.
Mr Bradley said: "I called for a public inquiry into the Bloody Sunday issue and I
would be less than honest if I didn't say that sometimes I'm disappointed.
"I do not have as much confidence in a public judicial inquiry as some
other people."
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KEY DATES
February 1989: UDA kill Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane
September 1989: Stevens One - Sir John Stevens appointed to investigate alleged collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries
1990: Stevens offices hit by fire
1992: British agent Brian Nelson says Army knew Mr Finucane was target
1993: Stevens Two - Director
of Public Prosecutions orders further investigation
April 1999: Stevens Three - Sir John Stevens appointed to investigate Mr Finucane's murder
11 April 2003:Nelson killed by massive brain haemorrhage
17 April 2003: Sir John submits report
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The report also says its inquiries were obstructed by police and army officers, and vital evidence was concealed and destroyed.
Since 1989, Sir John Stevens has been investigating allegations that elements within military intelligence and the RUC's Special Branch were colluding with loyalist assassination squads.
During the course of the latest Stevens inquiry, the activities of the Army intelligence Force Research Unit were investigated.
It recruited Brian Nelson as its agent at the top of the UDA.
His role was to gather information on murder targets.
Nelson, who died last week, insisted his handlers knew in advance that Pat Finucane was being targeted.
The Stevens Report said his murder could have been prevented.
The Stevens' investigating teams found obstruction and even harassment from both the Army and elements of the RUC's special branch.
Sir John said a fire at their offices in 1990 was arson and that throughout their inquiries, they were spied on and betrayed by police and Army colleagues.
He added that he is still determined to try to bring Pat Finucane's killers to justice - and he is still investigating just how far up the chain of command the collusion might have gone.
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