The British government was today accused of attempting to cover up allegations of security force collusion in the 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood added his voice to that of the Finucane family who last night condemned plans to fast-track legislation through the House of Parliament which would limit the scope of public inquiries.
Prime Minster Tony Blair yesterday announced a general election for May 5 th, leading to the usual scramble for legislation to be rushed though parliament ahead of its dissolution.
Among the laws expected to be pushed through is the Inquiries Bill which contains provision for evidence before a tribunal of inquiry to be heard in camera. The British government insists the legislation is needed because some tribunals will entail the hearing of sensitive matters of national security.
The Bill also enables government ministers to direct tribunals.
Last year, retired Canadian judge Peter Cory investigated six murders in which security force collusion was suspected and in each case recommended a public inquiry. One of the murders was that of Mr Finucane - a human rights lawyer who had developed a high profile because he represented IRA suspects during the troubles. He was murdered in his home in front of his children in 1989.
Today, Mr Attwood said he had obtained a British response to queries from the Irish Government about the inquiry, which confirmed that most of the hearings into the 1989 murder of Mr Finucane would be held behind closed doors.
He referred to a British response to an Irish Government inquiry before the UN this week in which ambassador, Nick Thorne conceded a "large proportion" of the Finucane inquiry "will probably be in private".
The West Belfast Assembly member said the response was "proof positive" of British plan cover-up plan. "A strategic decision has been taken by Downing Street that the truth about the murder of Pat Finucane and others will not be exposed. The Inquiries Bill is their means of doing so," Mr Attwood alleged.
The legislation has also been condemned by Mr Finucane's family, who have warned they will not participate in any inquiry set up under the legislation. In a letter to a US Congressional Committee last month Judge Cory also condemned the Bill, arguing it set "impossible terms for any international judge asked to chair the inquiry".
Judge Cory recommended the inquiry after considering a report by former Metropolitan Police chief Sir John Stevens, which found evidence of collusion between members of the British Army, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and loyalist hitmen in the lawyers murder.
Last year, loyalist paramilitary Ken Barrett was jailed for 22 years after admitting his role in the shooting.
Nationalists in Northern Ireland and human rights organisations like British Irish Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also attacked the Bill claiming it could also affect inquiries into issues like the war in Iraq.
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has also expressed deep reservations