Government perpetuates hierarchy of victims

Mr Robinson said,

“The murder of Pat Finucane, like all murders in the Troubles, was wrong. In 2004, a man was convicted and sentenced for his role in the murder and more than £20m has been spent on investigations into this one murder.

The Secretary of State needs to understand that there are more than one thousand other families in the United Kingdom who have not had a fraction of the resource poured into the murder of their loved one. Indeed, the Finucane family were offered a Public Inquiry, but they rejected that offer as they disagreed with the 2005 Public Inquiries Act.

We stand for truth and justice for every victim in the Troubles. Today’s announcement perpetuates a hierarchy and sends the message that this murder was more deserving of investigation than others.

On days like today, we must remember that 60% of Troubles deaths were by republican terrorists and 30% by loyalists. Some who shout loudest about some killings during the Troubles may well be harbouring the truth about the murder of soldiers, police officers and other innocent victims.”