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Pat Finucane murder: Government fails to make family pay legal challenge costs | Pat Finucane murder: Government fails to make family pay legal challenge costs |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The government has failed in an attempt to make the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane pay the costs of a legal challenge against the prime minister. | The government has failed in an attempt to make the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane pay the costs of a legal challenge against the prime minister. |
In June, his family failed to overturn a government decision not to hold a public inquiry into his killing. | In June, his family failed to overturn a government decision not to hold a public inquiry into his killing. |
A lawyer for the Northern Ireland Secretary told Belfast's High Court that as the challenge had failed, the family should pay the full costs. | A lawyer for the Northern Ireland Secretary told Belfast's High Court that as the challenge had failed, the family should pay the full costs. |
But the judge rejected the application. | But the judge rejected the application. |
Sources have said that the bill would have been in the region of at least £150,000. | |
Mr Justice Stephens said Mr Finucane's family had succeeded in establishing that investigations into his killing had not been in compliance with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. | Mr Justice Stephens said Mr Finucane's family had succeeded in establishing that investigations into his killing had not been in compliance with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. |
One of Pat Finucane's sons, John, criticised the government for trying to make the family pay the legal bill. | |
"I think it was a very vindictive application," he said. | |
"The only way that that could be viewed is something that is quite mean, petty, and I think designed to stymie any decision by our family to go for an appeal." | |
Collusion | Collusion |
Mr Finucane was a high-profile lawyer in Belfast who had represented clients including convicted IRA members, some of whom had taken part in hunger strikes at the Maze prison. | Mr Finucane was a high-profile lawyer in Belfast who had represented clients including convicted IRA members, some of whom had taken part in hunger strikes at the Maze prison. |
He was shot dead by loyalists in 1989 and his family have campaigned for an independent inquiry to examine UK state collusion in the murder. | He was shot dead by loyalists in 1989 and his family have campaigned for an independent inquiry to examine UK state collusion in the murder. |
Three years ago, Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the Finucane family. | Three years ago, Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the Finucane family. |
He agreed to a review of the case by Sir Desmond de Silva QC, but stopped short of a public inquiry. | He agreed to a review of the case by Sir Desmond de Silva QC, but stopped short of a public inquiry. |
In December 2012, a report by Sir Desmond said there was collusion in the murder of Mr Finucane. | In December 2012, a report by Sir Desmond said there was collusion in the murder of Mr Finucane. |
It said the state had facilitated the killing, and made relentless efforts to stop the killers being caught. | It said the state had facilitated the killing, and made relentless efforts to stop the killers being caught. |
Mr Finucane's family have said they will continue to campaign for a full public inquiry into his killing. | Mr Finucane's family have said they will continue to campaign for a full public inquiry into his killing. |
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