Senior Judge Hickinbottom Chairs UK Public Inquiry into Pat Finucane Murder

Sir Gary Hickinbottom has been appointed to chair the independent public inquiry into the 1989 murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane, who was shot by the Ulster Defence Association in his Belfast home amid evidence of collusion with the British state. The inquiry, announced last year by Secretary of State Hilary Benn, will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005 and hold full powers to compel documents and summon witnesses under oath. Former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan and human rights lawyer Francesca Del Mese have been appointed as assessors to ensure the inquiry's independence and provide expert advice. Hilary Benn emphasized the heinous nature of the crime and expressed confidence that the inquiry would provide answers sought by Finucane’s family, who have campaigned for decades for truth and justice. Sir Gary, a retired Court of Appeal judge and current President of the Welsh Tribunals, has prior experience leading statutory inquiries, including one into governance in the British Virgin Islands. Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey and others have called for the inquiry to begin swiftly and proceed with fierce independence to finally deliver justice for Finucane’s family.