The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, MP, has appointed The Rt Hon
Sir Gary Hickinbottom as Chair of the Patrick Finucane
Inquiry.
Last year, the Secretary of State announced the government's
intention to establish an independent inquiry into the
circumstances of Mr Finucane's death. The human rights
lawyer was brutally murdered in his North Belfast home by the
loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association, in
February 1989.
The Inquiry will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005,
with full powers, including the power to compel the production of
documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath.
Mr Benn has also confirmed the appointment of both the Rt Hon the
Baroness Nuala O'Loan, and Francesca Del Mese, as Assessors to
the Inquiry. Both will provide advice to the Chair on their
relevant expertise in regards to the Inquiry, while also
giving further assurance about the Inquiry's independence.
Sir Gary is the current President of the Welsh Tribunals.
He is a solicitor and a retired Court of Appeal Judge, who
undertook the statutory inquiry into corruption and governance in
the British Virgin Islands.
Confirming the announcement via a Written Ministerial Statement
to Parliament, Mr Benn said:
The murder of Mr Finucane was a barbarous and heinous crime and
one which continues to highlight the legacy of the Troubles in
Northern Ireland.
I commend and support the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and
her family in seeking answers to the brutal murder of their loved
one and I am confident that this Inquiry will provide answers to
the family who have suffered so terribly.
I am delighted that Sir Gary Hickinbottom has accepted this
important role as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry and that
and Francesca Del Mese have
accepted the important roles of assessors to the Inquiry. I am
confident that, together, their valuable knowledge, experience
and professionalism will be of great benefit to the work of the
Inquiry.
Sir Gary said:
I am privileged to take on responsibility for leading this public
inquiry into the important issues raised by the circumstances
surrounding the murder of Patrick Finucane, something I will do
not only in accordance with my statutory duties but as fairly,
openly and transparently as I can.
At the heart of this case lies a family who lost their husband
and father in horrific circumstances, and I look forward to
meeting the Finucane family in Belfast as soon as possible.
said:
I look forward to taking up this role, having been appointed by
the Secretary of State. The Finucane family has always been
concerned that the full story of what happened should be told,
and this independent inquiry will provide the opportunity to do
so. There remain unanswered questions, and the public
interest requires that we seek as best we can to get the answers
to those questions.
Ms Del Mese said:
I am honoured to be appointed by the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland as an Assessor for the long-awaited independent
inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane, a human rights
lawyer who was brutally killed in his own home in front of his
family. I will do my utmost to assist the inquiry in seeking
transparency and pursuing much-needed answers, both for the
Finucane family, and in the hope it will lead to a more secure
future for the communities of Northern Ireland.
As required by the Inquiries Act 2005, the Secretary of State
will undertake a consultation exercise with the Chair on the
proposed Terms of Reference for the Inquiry. These will be agreed
and published in due course.
