The Supreme Court Justices has granted leave to appeal to the Finucane family to challenge the decision of former British Prime Minister David Cameron's reneging on a public inquiry into the murder of Human Right’s solicitor Pat Finucane.

Mr Fincucane was shot dead by loyalist gunmen in front of his wife and children at his North Belfast home in 1989.

In 2003 the The Stevens Report from the British Government confirmed that the killing was carried out with the help of the RUC.

Mr Finucane's wife Geraldine wants an independent public inquiry to be held into his murder.

This was initially granted by then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2007 but was later blocked by the Inquiries Act 2005 which exists to 'provide a framework under which future inquiries, set up by Ministers into events that have caused or have potential to cause public concern, can operate effectively to deliver valuable and practicable recommendations in reasonable time and at a reasonable cost'.

The Finucane family rejected a 2012 investigation by Sir Desmond de Silva QC which said that there was 'no state conspiracy' in Mr Finucane's death but found that there were 'shocking' levels of collusion between the army, police and MI5

Speaking today Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney welcomed the decision from the Supreme Court.

Mr McCartney said: “Geraldine Finucane and her family should be commended for pursuing this case through the courts and for showing continued determination in their search for justice.

“The family have been involved in a long battle with the British state over the circumstances of Pat Finucane’s death and the role of the British state and of its agents in carrying out that murder.

“Sinn Féin will continue to support the Finucane family in their search for truth.”

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