The judge investigating allegations of security force collusion in the murder of a Belfast solicitor may not be receiving the full co-operation of the British Government, it has been claimed.

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

Members of his family met Judge Peter Cory on Wednesday, the fourteenth anniversary of the Belfast lawyer's killing.

We wanted to make sure that that wasn't happening to the judge and to satisfy ourselves that he is getting real co-operation Michael Finucane Victim's son

Speaking afterwards, Michael Finucane said he had no confidence in the willingness of the government to fully investigate his father's death.

"It is a matter of public record that evidence in this case has been suppressed, withheld and in some cases destroyed.

"We wanted to make sure that that wasn't happening to the judge and to satisfy ourselves that he is getting real and verifiable co-operation and not just being given what he asks for and no more than that," he said.

Collusion allegations

Last year a BBC Panorama programme said elements within Northern Ireland's police and military intelligence collaborated with loyalist paramilitaries in the late 1980s over the murder of Catholics.

Sir John Stevens is leading inquiry into killing

A man identified as a loyalist killer told the programme the targets included Pat Finucane.

Only one person has faced charges in connection with Mr Finucane's murder, but the case against William Stobie was dismissed last November through lack of evidence.

Stobie, a self-confessed former Ulster Defence Association (UDA) quartermaster, was murdered by loyalists outside his home in the Glencairn area of Belfast a month later.

The Red Hand Defenders, admitted the killing, and said Stobie had been shot because of "crimes against the loyalist community".

The RHD is a cover name used in the past by the UDA/UFF and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

Since 1989, Sir John Stevens, who is now commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been investigating the allegation that elements within military intelligence and the RUC special branch were colluding with loyalist assassination squads.

A report on his team's second investigation into the matter has been delayed twice. It is now expected to be made public with the next few months.

The RUC became the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 1 November 2001.