British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair's government was accused tonight of trying to impose a new form of data-controlled and state-censored inquiry through new legislation affecting a tribunal on the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
After a meeting with the late solicitor's family, SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan launched a hard-hitting attack on British government plans to introduce a new bill covering public inquiries which have to deal with sensitive issues of national security.
Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy has said new legislation is needed so public inquiries into controversial incidents like the murder of Mr Finucane in his north Belfast home in 1989 can do their job properly.
However this has been challenged by the Finucane family, human rights organisations and nationalists.
Mr Durkan said after his meeting with the Finucanes that it was clear they wanted to work with a public inquiry.
The Foyle Assembly member said: "They also want a public inquiry that works - one that is independent, one that is public, one that can get to the truth.
"The SDLP shares their goal. We also share their concerns about what the British Government is proposing.
"We have held a series of meetings with the government in recent weeks. It is clear from these meetings that the government want an inquiry that is state-controlled and state-censored.
"The British government want the power to dictate to the inquiry that evidence must be heard in private. They even want the power to censor the inquiry's findings."
Mr Finucane's murder has for many years aroused suspicions that rogue members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and British army intelligence collaborated with the loyalist gang who shot him.
In September, Ken Barrett was sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting in Belfast Crown Court his role in the murder.