Blair 'broke Finucane pledges'

Pat Finucane was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries

Tony Blair has been accused by the SDLP leader of breaking pledges over the issue of alleged security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries.

Mark Durkan said an inquiry into the 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane did not fulfil promises made to his party during talks at Weston Park three years ago.

Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead in front of his family at his north Belfast home by the loyalist Ulster Defence Association.

On Thursday, the British Government announced an inquiry into the murder and insisted it would not be a cover-up.

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But Mr Durkan told the BBC's Inside Politics programme on Saturday that it did not match Judge Peter Cory's recommendation of a public inquiry, which met certain key standards.

"We got a clear commitment from Tony Blair, a clear promise and Tony Blair's in breach of that promise," Mr Durkan said.

"And that's what we keep saying to Tony Blair - there was an unambiguous, unqualified promise that he made to us at Weston Park.

"After Weston Park, he made that unambiguous commitment to the public, including to the Finucane family, and he needs to honour it."

Mark Durkan said Tony Blair had not kept his promises

Mr Finucane's killing was one of the most controversial of the 30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, mainly because of the allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and members of the security forces.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said the inquiry into the murder would not be a "government in-house investigation", but would be "entirely independent".

He said a tribunal would be tasked with uncovering the full facts of what happened, with all the powers and resources for that job.

However, he said because of national security requirements, new legislation would have to be introduced before the inquiry began.

'Serious concerns'

The secretary of state also said Judge Cory's report into collusion allegations had recommended the inquiry should be held in public "to the extent possible".

However, Mr Finucane's widow Geraldine said her family was not optimistic the tribunal would find out what happened nor would be carried out in the open.

Mr Finucane's son Michael said he had "serious concerns" about what the government was recommending.

Retired Canadian Judge Peter Cory was appointed by the British and Irish Governments to examine allegations of collusion surrounding the Finucane and other controversial killings.

He recommended a public inquiry into Mr Finucane's death.

Loyalist Ken Barrett, 41, was sentenced last week at Belfast Crown Court to life for Mr Finucane's murder, after admitting his part in the killing.