Wright inquiry terms challenged

David Wright is concerned about the inquiry into his son's murder

The father of LVF leader Billy Wright has been given the go-ahead to proceed with a legal challenge to the terms of an inquiry into his son's murder.

Wright, 37, was shot dead by three INLA prisoners in the Maze Prison on 27 December 1997.

David Wright was granted a judicial review of the government's decision to conduct the inquiry under the terms of the Inquiries Act.

This legislation allows the government the right to keep evidence secret.

Mr Wright said he was "fairly happy" with the High Court's ruling.

His barrister had earlier told the court that use of the act was opposed because it gave the government extensive powers to interfere with the scope of any investigation.

The full hearing has been provisionally fixed to start on 26 April and is expected to last two to three days.

The first preliminary hearing of the inquiry was held in June 2005, with public hearings expected to start next spring.

Billy Wright was murdered in the Maze Prison in December 1997

After the hearing, concerns were raised about the Inquiries Act and Wright's father David said he was considering whether to cooperate with the inquiry.

Mr Wright has campaigned for an inquiry into his son's death after allegations of collusion by the authorities in the murder.

Wright had just got into a prison van to be taken to the visitors' area of the jail, when the prisoners from the INLA - a republican paramilitary organisation - climbed over the roof of the H-block and into the prison yard.

One opened the van door, singled out the LVF leader and shot him several times.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy announced the public inquiry in November 2004.

Lord MacLean is joined on the inquiry by academic professor Andrew Coyle from the University of London and the former Bishop of Hereford, the Reverend John Oliver.