Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

Following the publication of its terms of reference in March 2026, The Patrick Finucane Inquiry has been legally established. It held its preliminary hearing in June 2026, with a further hearing scheduled in September.

The Inquiry is an independent statutory public inquiry, established under the Inquiries Act 2005 to complete an Article 2 ECHR compliant investigation into the murder of Patrick Finucane. As the sponsoring department, my officials continue to work closely with the Inquiry whilst ensuring its independence is maintained. The Inquiry is still in its early stages and further work is required before detailed plans can be published. The Chair has been clear that the Inquiry will be rigorous, and will work as quickly and effectively as possible .

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

Patrick Finucane was brutally murdered in February 1989 in front of his wife, Geraldine, and three children. Mrs Finucane and her family have sought answers about the killing of their loved one for over 37 years. I am pleased that the Patrick Finucane Inquiry has now got underway, following the publication of its terms of reference.

The Inquiry is an independent statutory public inquiry, established under the Inquiries Act 2005 to complete an Article 2 ECHR compliant investigation into the murder of Patrick Finucane. While I am the Sponsor Minister for the Inquiry, it is rightly independent from Government. Inquiry spend is therefore an operational matter for the Inquiry, and details of Inquiry spending will be published on their website in due course.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

On 11 September 2024, I announced the establishment of an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane in February 1989, under the Inquiries Act 2005. This decision was in response to the 2019 judgment of the Supreme Court, which found that the previous investigations into the murder had been insufficient to enable the State to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Today, the Government has published the Terms of Reference for the Patrick Finucane Inquiry. This follows the appointment of The Rt. Honourable Sir Gary Hickinbottom as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry and The Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors to the Inquiry, which I announced on 13 June 2025.

The Terms of Reference have been developed following formal consultation with Sir Gary, as required by the Inquiries Act. Sir Gary, in turn, consulted the family of Patrick Finucane who provided very helpful feedback and observations. I would like to thank Sir Gary and the Finucane family for their engagement and feedback throughout the process.

Patrick Finucane was brutally murdered in his home in Belfast in front of his wife, Geraldine (who was also wounded), and his three children. This was a barbaric and heinous crime. I commend the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family over the course of 37 years in seeking answers about the brutal murder of their loved one, and I am pleased that the Inquiry will now finally be able to get underway.

I am satisfied that the Terms of Reference, as set out below, will enable the State to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the ECHR.

I have placed a copy of the Terms of Reference in the Library of the House.

The Patrick Finucane Inquiry is now formally established. Its Terms of Reference are attached.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn) has today made the following statement:

On 11 September 2024, I announced the establishment of an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane in February 1989, under the Inquiries Act 2005. This decision was in response to the 2019 judgment of the Supreme Court, which found that the previous investigations into the murder had been insufficient to enable the State to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Today, the Government has published the Terms of Reference for the Patrick Finucane Inquiry. This follows the appointment of The Rt. Honourable Sir Gary Hickinbottom as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry and The Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors to the Inquiry, which I announced on 13 June 2025.

The Terms of Reference have been developed following formal consultation with Sir Gary, as required by the Inquiries Act. Sir Gary, in turn, consulted the family of Patrick Finucane who provided very helpful feedback and observations. I would like to thank Sir Gary and the Finucane family for their engagement and feedback throughout the process.

Patrick Finucane was brutally murdered in his home in Belfast in front of his wife, Geraldine (who was also wounded), and his three children. This was a barbaric and heinous crime. I commend the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family over the course of 37 years in seeking answers about the brutal murder of their loved one, and I am pleased that the Inquiry will now finally be able to get underway.

I am satisfied that the Terms of Reference, as set out below, will enable the State to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the ECHR.

I have placed a copy of the Terms of Reference in the Library of the House.

The Patrick Finucane Inquiry is now formally established. Its Terms of Reference are attached.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

As I outlined in my oral statement of 11 September 2024, I considered the likely costs and impact of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry on public finances. It is the Government’s expectation that the Inquiry will avoid unnecessary costs given all the previous reviews and investigations and the large amount of information and material that is already in the public domain. Public inquiries regularly publish financial reports on their expenditure in the course of their work.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

Under the Inquiries Act, the power to establish a statutory independent inquiry and the constitution of the inquiry lie with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

In the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement of 13 June, he set out that he had appointed Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors to the Patrick Finucane Inquiry under section 11 of the Inquiries Act 2005 in accordance with the established appointments process. The Secretary of State then informed the Finucane family in the week of the announcement in line with customary practice. Their role is to provide expert advice to the Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom who has been appointed as Chair of the Inquiry under section 1 of the Act. I remain confident that these appointments have the relevant knowledge, experience and professionalism the Inquiry requires.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

I wish to provide an update to the House on the Government’s decision to establish an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane in February 1989.

Today, the Government has appointed the Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry. The Inquiry is being established under section 1 of the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents, and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. The Government has also today appointed The Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors to the Inquiry under section 11 of the Inquiries Act.

The appointment of Sir Gary follows my announcement, on 11 September 2024, that the Government will establish an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. This decision was in response to the 2019 judgment of the Supreme Court, which found that all the previous investigations into the murder had been insufficient to enable the State to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The murder of Mr Finucane in front of his wife, Geraldine (who was also wounded), and his three children, was a barbarous and heinous crime and one which continues to highlight the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. I commend and support the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family in seeking answers to the brutal murder of their loved one and I am confident that this Inquiry will provide answers to the family who have suffered so terribly.

In determining who should Chair the Inquiry, I considered that in view of the nature of the evidence and questions to be tested by the Patrick Finucane Inquiry, a judicial chairperson, sitting alone without a panel and with two Assessors, would be most appropriate for the role.

Sir Gary has had a distinguished judicial career in England and Wales. He is currently President of Welsh Tribunals and member of the Judicial Openness and Transparency Board. He was made a full-time judge in 2000 and was appointed to a succession of judicial appointments in both the court and tribunal systems. In 2021, Sir Gary retired from the Court of Appeal to conduct a Commission of Inquiry into governance and corruption in the British Virgin Islands, on which he reported in April 2022.

The Baroness O’Loan is a life peer appointed to the House of Lords in 2009. She became a member of the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee in January 2025. Prior to that, she was a member of various House of Lords Select Committees from 2010 to 2024. Baroness O'Loan was the first Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland.

Francesca Del Mese is an international criminal and human rights lawyer with over 25 years of experience in rule of law and security sector reform, specialising in conflict-affected and fragile States and countries experiencing political transition. She serves as a Member of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and is also a judge (Recorder) of the Crown Court of England and Wales.

I am delighted that Sir Gary Hickinbottom has accepted this important role as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry and that Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese have accepted the important roles of assessors to the Inquiry. I am confident that, together, their valuable knowledge, experience and professionalism will be of great benefit to the work of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry.

The Chair will now meet with the family and consult them on the Terms of Reference.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

My Rt Hon friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn) has today made the following statement:

I wish to provide an update to the House on the Government’s decision to establish an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane in February 1989.

Today, the Government has appointed the Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry. The Inquiry is being established under section 1 of the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents, and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. The Government has also today appointed The Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors to the Inquiry under section 11 of the Inquiries Act.

The appointment of Sir Gary follows my announcement, on 11 September 2024, that the Government will establish an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. This decision was in response to the 2019 judgment of the Supreme Court, which found that all the previous investigations into the murder had been insufficient to enable the State to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The murder of Mr Finucane in front of his wife, Geraldine (who was also wounded), and his three children, was a barbarous and heinous crime and one which continues to highlight the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. I commend and support the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family in seeking answers to the brutal murder of their loved one and I am confident that this Inquiry will provide answers to the family who have suffered so terribly.

In determining who should Chair the Inquiry, I considered that in view of the nature of the evidence and questions to be tested by the Patrick Finucane Inquiry, a judicial chairperson, sitting alone without a panel and with two Assessors, would be most appropriate for the role.

Sir Gary has had a distinguished judicial career in England and Wales. He is currently President of Welsh Tribunals and member of the Judicial Openness and Transparency Board. He was made a full-time judge in 2000 and was appointed to a succession of judicial appointments in both the court and tribunal systems. In 2021, Sir Gary retired from the Court of Appeal to conduct a Commission of Inquiry into governance and corruption in the British Virgin Islands, on which he reported in April 2022.

The Baroness O’Loan is a life peer appointed to the House of Lords in 2009. She became a member of the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee in January 2025. Prior to that, she was a member of various House of Lords Select Committees from 2010 to 2024. Baroness O'Loan was the first Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland.

Francesca Del Mese is an international criminal and human rights lawyer with over 25 years of experience in rule of law and security sector reform, specialising in conflict-affected and fragile States and countries experiencing political transition. She serves as a Member of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and is also a judge (Recorder) of the Crown Court of England and Wales.

I am delighted that Sir Gary Hickinbottom has accepted this important role as Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry and that Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese have accepted the important roles of assessors to the Inquiry. I am confident that, together, their valuable knowledge, experience and professionalism will be of great benefit to the work of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry.

The Chair will now meet with the family and consult them on the Terms of Reference.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

Since 2020, His Majesty’s Government has supported 16 public inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005. The Cabinet Office does not centrally hold data on the yearly public funding to inquiries as each Government Department is responsible for the inquiries they sponsor.

Four inquiries have been established so far in 2025. The Independent inquiry into Manston short-term holding facility and the Stockport Inquiry will be sponsored by the Home Office, the Nottingham Inquiry will be sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, and the Patrick Finucane Inquiry by the Northern Ireland Office.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

The settlement in the Autumn Budget for the Northern Ireland Office includes funding for priorities related to the legacy of the Troubles, including making provision for the establishment of the Inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. The bulk of the costs of the Inquiry will fall in the next Spending Round. It is the Government’s expectation that the Inquiry will avoid unnecessary costs given all the previous reviews and investigations, and the large amount of information and material that is already in the public domain.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

I am keen that the Inquiry is able to begin its work without undue delay. The Inquiries Act 2005 sets out clear steps to follow in setting up an inquiry, including the appointment of the Chair, agreement on the Terms of Reference, working through the necessary logistics such as facilities and services procurement, and setting up the Inquiry secretariat.

I will provide an update on the Terms of Reference once it has been agreed with the Chair.

Answering body: Northern Ireland Office

As mentioned in my previous Written Answer, the Government takes reasonable steps to control the costs of inquiries, including capping legal costs as appropriate.

The Government asked Judge Peter Cory to re-investigate the death of Patrick Finucane. This was not a public inquiry but led to public inquiries into the deaths of Rosemary Nelson, Billy Wright, Robert Hamill and Patrick Finucane.

The Robert Hamill Inquiry is yet to publish its Report and therefore its final costs are not yet available. The Government is in the process of setting up the Patrick Finucane Inquiry and has considered the likely costs and impact on the public finances. The Government’s expectation is that the inquiry will avoid unnecessary costs given the work done in all the previous reviews and investigations and the large amount of information and material that is already in the public domain.

Sir Desmond de Silva was appointed to conduct an independent review into the death of Patrick Finucane, but like Cory, this was not a public inquiry. Sir John Stevens’ investigation was commissioned and funded by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (now PSNI).