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Patrick Finucane Inquiry Chair acknowledges publication of Terms of Reference

Published:


 
Sir Gary Hickinbottom, Chair of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry, has acknowledged today’s publication of the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP. The publication of the Terms of Reference formally establishes the Inquiry in law and allows it to commence its work.  

Speaking after the publication Sir Gary said: 

“I am grateful to the Secretary of State for today’s announcement of the Terms of Reference. This is an important moment as it establishes the Inquiry on a formal footing and allows us to begin our work in earnest. I wish to build momentum at this early stage. I intend to fulfil my duties as Chair as fairly, openly and transparently as possible, operating independently from Government and any other outside influence. 

I am keen for the Inquiry to proceed at pace to fulfil its Terms of Reference and with that in mind, I am today inviting anyone who feels they may be entitled to be a Core Participant in this Inquiry to apply to do so.”  

Details of the application process can be found on the Core Participants Protocol available on the Inquiry website at www.finucane.independent-inquiry.uk

Note to Editors 

The Patrick Finucane Inquiry is investigating the circumstances of the murder by loyalist paramilitaries of the solicitor Patrick Finucane on 12 February 1989. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced the Inquiry on 11 September 2024. It is chaired by Sir Gary Hickinbottom who was appointed on 13 June 2025. 

He is supported by two independent Assessors, Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese.    

The purpose of this Inquiry is to investigate and report upon the circumstances of Patrick Finucane’s murder, and particularly the role of the State, in an Article 2 compliant manner.  The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference have been published today by the UK Government. 

A Core Participant is a person, organisation or other entity, that has been designated a Core Participant by the Chair, pursuant to Rule 5 of the Inquiry Rules 2006.  They typically have a significant interest in the Inquiry. Core Participants enjoy participatory rights in the Inquiry. These include being provided with relevant documents; being legally represented and making opening and closing statements; applying through their recognised legal representatives to the Chair to ask questions of witnesses during a hearing; and receiving advance copies of the Inquiry’s report(s). You do not need to be a Core Participant to provide evidence to the Inquiry.     

Once the Inquiry timetable is confirmed, regular updates will be provided to the media and to all Core Participants, once identified.  Any further queries from the media can be directed to media@finucane.independent-inquiry.uk.