An independent, international inquiry into the murder of former Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright has been called for by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Wright, leader of the loyalist paramilitary splinter group the LVF, was shot dead while serving a sentence in the Maze prison on 27 December 1997.

He was killed by three members of the republican paramilitary Irish National Liberation Army.

The commission said that, having examined all the facts of the case, it believed such a process was the most likely way to establish what happened.

David Wright: Believes son's killing was a result of conspiracy

Chief Commissioner Professor Brice Dickson, said it was commission's view that that "a full-scale public inquiry should be initiated."

"The commission is particularly motivated by the facts that Billy Wright was in the custody of the State when he was murdered," he said.

"Very relevant information concerning the circumstances surrounding his murder has not yet been unearthed.

"We believe that Article 2 of the European Convention requires an independent inquiry in this case."

Mr Wright's father David, who has been pressing for an inquiry into his son's murder has been informed of the commission's position.

Mr Wright believes that the authorities colluded in the murder in the high security prison.

His son, from Portadown in County Armagh, founded the LVF splitting away from the mainstream paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force.