The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane are to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair today over the inquiry into his killing.
Mr Finucane's widow Geraldine and son Michael and other family members will meet Mr Blair in Downing Street for the first time since the government announced an inquiry.
Mr Michael Finucane said the family did not have confidence in the government's handling of an inquiry into allegations that British army intelligence and RUC officers colluded in the murder of his father in 1989 by members of the UDA.
"My family is deeply concerned about the proposed inquiry into my father's murder," he said. "The recent announcement on behalf of the Government by (Northern Ireland Secretary) Paul Murphy that an inquiry is to be established is not sufficient because it omitted a crucial word - public.
"He has not said anything since to reassure us that a proper public inquiry is what the government will establish because the focus has been on new legislation that addresses national security concerns and little else."
Sinn Féin's Mr Gerry Kelly said the government could no longer continue to stall on the establishment of a fully independent, international inquiry. "The track record of successive British governments in dealing with the issue of collusion, and specifically the murder of Pat Finucane, has been one of concealment and cover-up," the North Belfast MLA said. "So far this British government has failed to allow the sort of independent inquiry demanded by the Finucane family and which is acknowledged as the only mechanism which can reveal the truth about the murder of Pat Finucane to proceed."
Pat Finucane was shot dead in front of this family in his north Belfast home in February 1989. His relatives, human rights groups and nationalist politicians have long believed he was the victim of a policy of collusion between members of the security forces in Northern Ireland and loyalist paramilitaries.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens has concluded in an investigation into the murder that Mr Finucane and student Adam Lambert were victims of collusion.
The case for inquiry was further strengthened when retired Canadian judge Mr Peter Cory recommended to the British government that there should be one. Judge Cory was appointed by the British and Irish governments after the 2001 Weston Park talks to examine the cases for inquiries into six controversial killings.
In September loyalist Ken Barrett (41), received a life sentence after admitting his role in Mr Finucane's murder. He is expected to be released early under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.
After his conviction, Mr Murphy announced that an inquiry would be held as recommended by Judge Cory. However, the Finucane family, nationalist politicians and human rights groups were concerned by suggestions that large sections of the inquiry might have to be held behind closed doors because they would deal with sensitive matters of national security.
Mr Murphy also announced that legislation would have to be drawn up to enable the tribunal in charge of a fresh probe into Mr Finucane's killing to deal with these sensitive national security issues.
PA