British prime minister Mr Blair was today coming under pressure to launch a probe into allegations of security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries following the murder of ex-UDA quartermaster William Stobie.
Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and Mid Ulster MP Mr Martin McGuinness are expected to press the prime minister during talks at Downing Street for an independent inquiry into claims of collusion surrounding several killings, including the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in February 1989.
Calls for an inquiry into Mr Finucane's death mounted yesterday after Mr Stobie, a self-confessed police informer, was gunned down by former colleagues in Belfast.
Former loyalist paramilitary associates yesterday admitted murdering the 51-year-old - just weeks after his acquittal for plotting to murder Mr Finucane.
Mr Stobie, who was gunned down outside his north Belfast flat, had been warned just days ago that the UDA was targeting him for assassination but had received assurances from the paramilitary group that he would not be harmed.
Police last night drafted extra personnel and resources into the investigation into Mr Stobie's killing to make sure the service cannot be accused of failing to act on intelligence warnings that he was on a death list.
One high-ranking officer said: "There's the potential for a lot of politics and that is what is concerning senior officers.
"This man was warned that his life was in danger and that is causing a few concerns.
"We need to show normal procedure was followed and whether normal procedure is sufficient." Mr Stobie was hit up to five times by shots fired from a handgun after a car pulled up outside his flat on Forthriver Road as he prepared to drive his partner to work.
One man was seen running from the area.
The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used by the UDA, claimed Mr Stobie was killed because of "crimes against the loyalist community".
Associates believe he was killed after disclosing he was a police informer and for supporting calls for a judicial inquiry into the murder of Mr Finucane.
Mr Stobie had been acquitted of aiding and abetting in the murder of the lawyer, who was shot dead in front of his family in his north Belfast home in February 1989.
Relatives have accused police and British military intelligence of collusion in the shooting with the UDA.
The murder will intensify demands for a full judicial inquiry.
Mr Finucane's murder is already under investigation by a team of officers headed by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens.
PA