Canadian pressure for Finucane Inquiry builds

10 May 2004 --

In the wake of the Cory Report, Canadian Members of Parliament from
all political parties are pressing the British government to launch an
immediate inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. Twelve M.P.s have signed
a petition calling for an immediate inquiry. The signatories include
the Parliamentary leader of the Bloc Quebecois Gilles Duceppe M.P. and
his foreign affairs critic Francine Lalonde M.P. The New Democratic
Foreign Affairs critic Alexa McDonagh M.P. signed the petition and,
along with her party colleague Joe Comartin M.P., has written to Prime
Minister Blair calling for an immediate independent international
inquiry to "help remove this barrier on the road to Peace".

The other signatories of the petition are Liberals Pat O'Brien M.P.
(Chairperson of the Ireland Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group),
Marlene Jennings M.P. and Colleen Beaumier M.P.; Conservatives Jason Kenny M.P.
and James Rajotte M.P.; New Democrats Pat Martin M.P. and Svend Robinson
M.P.; and Bloc Quebecois member Pierre Paquette M.P.

In a separate development, the New Democratic Parliamentary leader
Bill Blaikie M.P. has written to the British High Commissioner in
Canada calling for an immediate inquiry. Blaikie wrote how the "ignoring" of Cory's
recommendation creates "an unnecessary impediment to the peace process".

Former Canadian Solicitor General and human rights advocate Warren
Allmand, a long time supporter of the peace process, has also spoken out on the
case explaining how "Any public prosecution should not be allowed to delay
in any way the setting up of an independent inquiry into the killing of
Patrick Finucane. It is only through such an inquiry that the full
truth surrounding his killing shall become known".

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