SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood has pressed Sir John Stevens to not to allow any criminal investigation into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane to delay an independent inquiry.
Speaking in advance of a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner who is conducting the inquiry into the Finucane case, Mr Attwood called for "quick and purposeful" action.
"Today's (Thursday) meeting comes at the end of three days of extensive meetings with officials in Downing Street, political correspondents and the pro-Euro campaign," he said.
"The party shall be informing Sir John Stevens that he must quickly pursue the allegations of collusion involving republicans just as he pursued collusion involving loyalists.
"He has an opportunity to throw light on this part of our past and he needs to act quickly and purposefully in so doing."
The SDLP chairman called for clarity from Sir John on the position of retired Canadian judge, Peter Cory's investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mr Finucane.
"The party will also be expressing a real worry that the papers that he has passed the Director of Public Prosecutions arising from the murder of Pat Finucane and others will become a delaying tactic in respect of any recommendations from Judge Cory," Mr Attwood said.
"Sir John Stevens must let government and others know that ongoing criminal enquiries do not mean delay or doubt over commencing an independent inquiry."
