Gerry Moriarty,
Northern Editor
Retired Canadian judge Peter Cory has gone over the head of the British government to inform the families of Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright that he has recommended independent inquiries into their killings.
Judge Cory was so annoyed at the British government's delay in releasing his reports into the controversial killings that he personally contacted the families yesterday to tell them of his recommendations.
Judge Cory informed the families that he urged the British government to hold inquiries into the killings of solicitors Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson, Portadown man Robert Hamill, and Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright.
The British government has cited a series of legal reasons for not publishing the reports into the Finucane, Nelson, Hamill and Wright killings.
"The prime minister has made it clear that we will publish the reports as soon as the legal position is complete," said a British spokesman last night.
All the families welcomed Judge Cory's personal actions. Solicitor Mr Michael Finucane, son of Pat Finucane who was murdered in front of his family by the UDA in 1989 with alleged security force collusion, said Judge Cory told him he was motivated in his actions primarily by reasons of humanity and fairness to the families.
"I got a call from Judge Cory out of the blue about 3.30 [p.m.]," said Mr Finucane. "He said he had informed the Northern Ireland Office that he was going to make the families aware of the bottom line in his report because he felt it was the humane thing to do."
Judge Cory told the families of his recommendations but did not go into the detail of his report. Mr Finucane said the British government's stance on the report indicated that he could have little faith that it would order an independent and impartial inquiry - the British has made a commitment to abide by the judge's recommendations.
"I don't think the concepts of independence and impartiality are compatible with how the British government does its business," said Mr Finucane.
"I think the fact that Judge Cory felt compelled to contact us shows up the British government as being, at the very least, guilty of bad faith and, at worst, duplicity and lies," he added.
Mr Finucane described Judge Cory as a man of "unquestionable integrity". But Mr Finucane said he was concerned that if an inquiry were called the British government would attempt to restrict its remit.
In December, the Irish Government accepted Judge Cory's recommendation for an independent inquiry into the IRA murders of two senior RUC officers, Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan, close to the Border in 1989.
London to try to brazen out Cory revelations: page 6