The British government was last night (Monday) accused of a "total breach of trust" by one of the families waiting to hear if retired judge Peter Cory has recommended a public inquiry into their loved one's murder.
Martin Finucane, whose brother Patrick, was shot dead by the UFF in 1989, accused the British government of having gone back on written assurances that the findings of Mr Cory's reports would be discussed with the families of those who had been murdered, before any announcement to the media or the public.
Speaking after media reports yesterday suggested that Mr Cory has recommended public inquiries into the murders of Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill, Billy Wright and RUC detectives Bob Buchanan and Harry Breen, Martin Finucane said: "In September secretary of state Paul Murphy told us in writing that the families would be informed about Judge Cory's reports before there was any public announcement.
"But it appears now that the British government has gone back on that promise and has instead briefed the media about Mr Cory's findings before the families. Our family finds that utterly reprehensible and a total breach of trust What is needed now is for the families of those involved to be told what is going on."
The father of murdered LVF leader Billy Wright last night also called for the British government not to delay the publication of Judge Cory's reports, stating that the delay was causing unnecessary pain to the families of those involved.
Both Sinn Féin and the SDLP last night also called for the speedy publication of the judge's reports.
"The two governments must, without further delay, accept the recommendations of the Cory report and convene inquiries," the SDLP's Alex Attwood said.
"The inquiries must be international, public and independent, with full powers to call witnesses and papers."
Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy warned that the British government could not continue stalling on publication of Judge Cory's reports.
"The last obstacle put in the place of these families' search for the truth has been removed," he said.
"These families should not have had to go through this process in the first place. The validity of their cases is well known. The British government have stalled their search for the truth for long enough."
But rejecting any suggestion that it had been involved in briefing the media, an NIO spokesman said: "The two governments are determined that where there are allegations of collusion the truth should emerge. We will consider the reports urgently and undertake to publish them as soon as possible, in line with the terms of reference."
