A loyalist accused of murdering Belfast solicitor Mr Pat Finucane in 1989 should stand trial soon or else the charge should be withdrawn, his solicitor said yesterday.
Mr Joe Rice told Belfast Magistrates' Court that Mr William Stobie (48), from Forthriver Road, Belfast, had been on remand for seven months, the first three of which he spent in custody until he was granted bail last September.
"If the evidence exists the case should be prosecuted as expeditiously as possible or the charge should be withdrawn," said Mr Rice.
A lawyer for the Director of Public Prosecutions said all outstanding materials had been received on December 14th and a meeting had been arranged for today between the department and representatives from the Stevens inquiry team.
"It is a complex case and it is expected that the papers will have to be submitted to senior counsel for consideration," the lawyer added.
Mr Stobie, an ex-soldier and former RUC Special Branch agent, was remanded on continuing bail until March 8th.
Mr Rice said he wished to put the Prosecution on notice that if no decision was taken to prosecute by March 8th an application would be made to have the charge thrown out because of abuse of process.