Official title: Allegations that RUC officers encouraged the murder of Patrick Finucane
In brief
- De Silva found it likely that an RUC officer or officers proposed Finucane as a UDA target to a detainee in December 1988.
What this chapter covers
Chapter 18 examines allegations that RUC officers encouraged the murder, in particular by suggesting to loyalist detainees during interviews that Pat Finucane was a target.
Key findings
- De Silva concluded that it was likely that "an RUC officer or officers" proposed Finucane as a UDA target when speaking to a loyalist detainee at Castlereagh holding centre in December 1988. The Prime Minister cited this finding, which was reached on the balance of probabilities, in the Commons.
- The chapter also discusses wider evidence about how some officers spoke about defence solicitors to detainees.
- De Silva found that the RUC was predisposed against solicitors representing republican paramilitaries.
How to read it
This is a finding about likelihood, based on the review's assessment of the evidence, not a criminal finding against any named officer. Officers are identified by cipher. Chapter 19 deals with the separate question whether officers actively facilitated the murder.