Brice Dickson: Independent inquiry could get to bottom of issues

One man, William Stobie, is currently facing trial in connection with the murder.

The Finucane family have consistently claimed that Northern Irish security forces were involved in the killing and a police team led by Sir John is investigating the killing and the collusion allegations.

Professor Dickson said its support for the independent inquiry follows a meeting last week with members of the Finucane family.

Referring to a report compiled by human rights group, British Irish Rights Watch, had been handed into the government more than a year ago he said it had still not elicited "the kind of detailed response which all concerned are entitled to expect".

The commission chief said he would be writing to the secretary of state about the contents of the British Irish Rights Watch report.

Martin Finucane renewed the family's calls for the establishment of an inquiry into the death of his brother similar to that currently underway to establish the truth behind the killings of Bloody Sunday .

"In my view the long the British government delays, the more it makes itself party to the shameful murders,lies and cover-ups that have surrounded the whole contentious collusion matter" he said.

Mr Finucane referrred to the prime minister's Commons statement when he was announcing the inquiry into Bloody Sunday.

On that occasion, he argued that Mr Blair had said "Bloody Sunday was different" because the "state's own authorities are concerned".

"He should apply the same approach in relation to my brother's case because the state's own authorities were very much concerned," he said.