The Inquiries Act 2005 came into force on 7 June. It was passed amid a storm of protest from human rights groups on 5 April, 2005 – the day before Parliament was dissolved in advance of the last General Election. The Government asserts that this is essentially consolidating and codifying legislation. In that case, why the rush? Administrative tidy-mindedness is rarely a priority so late in the life of a Parliament.
Belfast solicitor, Patrick Finucane, was murdered in 1989 by loyalist paramilitaries. Peter Cory, a retired judge of the Canadian Supreme Court, recommended that a public inquiry be held into his murder. The Government agreed. A press release dated 23 September, 2004 stated: “In order that the inquiry can take place speedily and effectively and in a way that takes into account the public interest, including the requirements of national security, it will be necessary to hold the inquiry on the basis of new legislation which will be introduced shortly.”
