US politicians today called on the British government to hold an independent public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation which urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to widen the scope of the controversial Inquiries Act.
Republican Chris Smith
Smith, who introduced the resolution, said: "Finding answers to the questions surrounding Mr Finucane's murder will help restore full confidence in the rule of law in the North of Ireland and ensure that any agents of the government who may have colluded in the murder of a defence attorney are held accountable."
Mr Finucane was shot dead by loyalists at his north Belfast home in February 1989
The murder was one of the most controversial of the Troubles, with allegations of security force collusion.
The Finucane family, human rights campaigners and nationalist politicians have expressed alarm at moves by London to ensure the tribunal into the murder is held under the Inquiries Act.
They have claimed the Act will suppress the truth about what happened and Amnesty International said crucial evidence could be omitted from any final report at the British government's discretion.
Mr Smith, Representative for New Jersey, drafted the legislation, which was passed by 390 votes to five.
He claimed a full public inquiry would be a highly significant move and could pave the way for Irish republicans' acceptance of policing reforms.
Mr Smith said: "A key stumbling block to that greater acceptance of the police by the nationalist community has been the lack of resolution of charges of official collusion in the murder of Pat Finucane and others.
"If the population of Northern Ireland is to fully transfer its trust to the police, it must have confidence that the police and Government authorities will be held accountable."