A question of truth?

Few people had imagined that the trial of Belfast loyalist Ken Barrett would come to such a dramatic and sudden end.

After continually denying the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane, Barrett changed his plea and told a hushed courtroom 12 at the Laganside court complex on Monday that he was, in fact, guilty.

Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries

However, that has not quelled the tide of rumour and counter-rumour which has dogged what has become one of the most controversial killings in the Northern Ireland Troubles.

For senior intelligence and loyalist sources have told the BBC that Barrett was not the gunman.

BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan said Barrett was an associate of a number of senior Ulster Defence Association figures in the upper Shankill area of Belfast, who have also been questioned about the Finucane killing.

However, Brian Rowan added: "An intelligence source has told me that he is 'absolutely sure' that Barrett wasn't the gunman.

"A senior loyalist source agreed, but said Barrett was involved in the murder."

Despite his denials, Barrett had been taped by a reporter from the BBC's Panorama programme discussing the Finucane murder.

It was broadcast in 2002 as part of an indepth investigation into collusion allegations.

Pat Finucane was shot dead in front of his wife and children at his north Belfast home as he sat eating a meal in February 1989.

The loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association later admitted the killing saying it had killed "Pat Finucane, the IRA officer".

The family vehemently denied the allegation and have always maintained there was collusion between the paramilitaries and some members of the security forces in his killing.

Sir John Stevens published a report last year

They have long campaigned for a full public inquiry to establish the facts.

Through the judicial system, they have tried to force the British Government to set up such an inquiry.

They launched a legal challenge over the government's failure to establish an inquiry, but, in June, proceedings were adjourned after the government decided to postpone any decision until all criminal proceedings were exhausted.

At the time, Barrett was awaiting trial charged with Mr Finucane's murder. After admitting his part in the killing, he will be sentenced on Friday.

Mr Finucane came to prominence while representing a number of high-profile republican clients, including Patrick McGeown, a suspected member of the IRA.

A public inquiry into the Finucane murder was recommended by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory, who was appointed by the British and Irish governments in 2001 to examine allegations of collusion in a number of controversial killings.

Rogue elements

Sinn Fein has claimed the British Government is using the investigation into the solicitor's murder as a excuse to block a public inquiry into the killing.

The issue has also been a sticking point in political negotiations in Northern Ireland, with Sinn Fein and the SDLP backing calls for the British Government to set up a public inquiry.

In April last year, the UK's most senior police officer said rogue elements within the police and Army in Northern Ireland helped loyalist paramilitaries to murder Catholics in the late 1980s.

Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, found there was collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the security forces in the murder of Mr Finucane and that of student Adam Lambert.

In his report, 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.

Case collapsed

"I conclude there was collusion in both murders and the circumstances surrounding them. Collusion is evidenced in many ways.

"This ranges from the wilful failure to keep records, the absence of accountability, the withholding of intelligence and evidence, through to the extreme of agents being involved in murder."

In April 1999, shortly after beginning a third inquiry, the Steven's team charged former RUC Special Branch agent and loyalist quartermaster, William Stobie, in connection with the killing.

Mr Stobie admitted having supplied the weapons. But he denied he knew the name of the target and insisted that he alerted his handlers that a shooting was imminent.

In November 2001, the case against Mr Stobie collapsed but within weeks he had been shot dead outside his home by loyalist gunmen.

Last May, Shankill loyalist Ken Barrett was questioned in England and subsequently charged over the Finucane killing.

His admission of guilt would perhaps be seen to the outsider as some sort of closure for the family, at least as regards the criminal case.

But a member of the Finucane family told the BBC the most important thing to them was not "who pulled the trigger but who pulled the strings".