Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said it is time for the British government to finally grant a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane.

The North Belfast MLA was speaking after the British government asked the Court of Appeal for more time to provide a response to the court’s earlier ruling. 

Gerry Kelly said:

“Geraldine Finucane and her family have fought with courage, dignity and determination for over 35 years now to establish the full extent of what happened to her, her husband and their family.

“This further delay by the British government is yet another attempt to hold-up and delay delivering full truth and justice to the Finucane family. 

“The new British government now has a real opportunity to demonstrate its willingness to deal with the past, and to meet the needs of victims and families. This chance must be grasped in good faith.

“The latest round of the British government’s merry-go-round of delays must be its last. It’s time for the British government to finally honour the commitment the previous Labour government made over twenty years ago and initiate a public inquiry which meets the standards of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

“There can be no more delay or blockage to truth and justice for Pat Finucane’s family.”