Man held over Finucane murder

Ken Barrett, centre, arrives in NI for questioning by detectives

A man has been arrested in England in connection with the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Mr Finucane's murder was one of the most controversial killings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The high-profile Catholic solicitor was shot dead by the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association in front of his family at his home in 1989.

It is understood the man being held is Ken Barrett who was secretly filmed by the BBC Panorama programme as he discussed how collusion between elements in the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries had resulted in the murder of Mr Finucane.

The 40-year-old was arrested in Sussex on Wednesday by officers from the enquiry team investigating alleged collusion, led by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens.

The operation was supported by members of Sussex police and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Pat Finucane was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989

He has been taken to Northern Ireland for further questioning.

A 45-year-old woman was also arrested and is being questioned in Sussex.

A statement issued by the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday said the arrests were in connection with the murder of Pat Finucane and other matters.

Last month, a report by Sir John revealed rogue elements within the police and army in Northern Ireland helped loyalist paramilitaries to murder Catholics in the late 1980s.

Sir John's report into collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries also found that military intelligence in Northern Ireland helped to prolong the Troubles.

The Stevens Three report also found that informants and agents "were allowed to operate without effective control and to participate in terrorist crimes".