A backbench Labour MP in Britain has expressed fears that the British government is trying to "edit" reports on four controversial killings in Northern Ireland.
Former Labour Northern Ireland spokesman Mr Kevin McNamara voiced concern about the British failure to release reports by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory into the murders of solicitors Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson, Catholic father-of-two Robert Hamill and loyalist prisoner Billy Wright.
Judge Cory was appointed by the two Governments after the Weston Park talks in 2001 to investigate the controversial deaths of eight people during the Troubles.
Dublin published before Christmas two reports affecting the Republic and announced an inquiry into allegations of police collusion in the IRA double murder of Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan in March 1989.
The British Government has angered nationalists by failing to release its four reports covering:
- Allegations of security force collusion in the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane in his north Belfast home by the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters in February 1989.
- Claims that police failed to intervene in the murder of Catholic father-of-two Robert Hamill by a loyalist mob in Portadown town centre in May 1997.
- The murder of Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright in suspicious circumstances by the Irish National Liberation Army in the high security Maze Prison in December 1997.
- Police threats against solicitor Rosemary Nelson before she was blown up in a car bomb outside her Lurgan home in March 1999.
Judge Cory contacted the four families this week to tell them he had recommended inquiries into all four cases, prompting the family of Mr Finucane to launch a High Court action in Belfast against the Northern Ireland Office.
The British government came under further pressure today during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons to release the reports.
Mr McNamara said there was increasing concern that the government was trying to "edit" Judge Cory's recommendations.
He asked the Northern Secretary Mr Paul Murphy: "The Irish Government has published their reports? When is the British Government going to do the same?"
Mr Murphy insisted there were legal and security reasons for the delay and once the Government was satisfied these had been dealt with the reports would be published.
Sinn Féin justice spokesman Mr Gerry Kelly accused the British government of trying to cover up collusion.
"There can be no other explanation for their failure to either publish or act upon the findings of Judge Cory," the North Belfast MLA said.
"The British government entered into very public commitments after the Weston Park talks to act upon Judge Cory's findings.
"They have had possession of his report from last October and have failed to honour their pledges.
"Despite the efforts of Paul Murphy in the British House of Commons today, the position adopted by his Government is indefensible."
PA