SINN FÉIN MP John Finucane has called on Conservative Party MP David Davis to withdraw his remarks and apologise after he referred to “the activities of IRA lawyers in the courts” while speaking in the House of Commons.
During a debate on amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, Davis said he “would rather see the dispassionate actions of the (Legacy) commission than the activities of IRA lawyers in the courts”.
While talking about the prosecution of British Army veterans for incidents during the Troubles, he referred to “IRA lawyers” being “more interested in drama than justice”.
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Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the comments as ”shameful and reprehensible”.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Northern Ireland voiced “deep concern” and recalled remarks made in January 1989 by then junior minister Douglas Hogg that some solicitors in Northern Ireland were “unduly sympathetic to the cause of the IRA”.
The remarks came three weeks before the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane, whose death is currently being probed in a public inquiry.
Finucane was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found to have involved collusion with the State in February 1989.
In an open letter to Davis shared on X, John Finucane, the son of Pat Finucane, said: “We know where this language can lead.”
Finucane said: “I grew up without my father. I became a solicitor, following in his footsteps, because I believed, as he did, in the rule of law. In the right of every person to legal representation. In the right of victims to challenge the powerful, including the state itself.”
“And that is what makes your words so contemptible.”
“We are not living in 1989. We are building a new Ireland founded on equality, rights and justice. We will not be intimidated, silenced or dragged backwards by the prejudices of British politicians. Shame on you, David,” he added.
Finucane called on Davis to withdraw his words, apologise to his family and also to the family of Rosemary Nelson – a solicitor who was killed in 1999 by a car bomb planted by loyalists outside her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
He also called on Davis to apologise “to the lawyers and victims whose pursuit of justice you have sought to discredit”.
'Shame on you:' John Finucane calls on Tory MP to withdraw 'IRA lawyers' remarks
SINN FÉIN MP John Finucane has called on Conservative Party MP David Davis to withdraw his remarks and apologise after he referred to “the activities of IRA lawyers in the courts” while speaking in the House of Commons.
During a debate on amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, Davis said he “would rather see the dispassionate actions of the (Legacy) commission than the activities of IRA lawyers in the courts”.
While talking about the prosecution of British Army veterans for incidents during the Troubles, he referred to “IRA lawyers” being “more interested in drama than justice”.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the comments as ”shameful and reprehensible”.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Northern Ireland voiced “deep concern” and recalled remarks made in January 1989 by then junior minister Douglas Hogg that some solicitors in Northern Ireland were “unduly sympathetic to the cause of the IRA”.
The remarks came three weeks before the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane, whose death is currently being probed in a public inquiry.
Finucane was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found to have involved collusion with the State in February 1989.
In an open letter to Davis shared on X, John Finucane, the son of Pat Finucane, said: “We know where this language can lead.”
Finucane said: “I grew up without my father. I became a solicitor, following in his footsteps, because I believed, as he did, in the rule of law. In the right of every person to legal representation. In the right of victims to challenge the powerful, including the state itself.”
“And that is what makes your words so contemptible.”
“We are not living in 1989. We are building a new Ireland founded on equality, rights and justice. We will not be intimidated, silenced or dragged backwards by the prejudices of British politicians. Shame on you, David,” he added.
Finucane called on Davis to withdraw his words, apologise to his family and also to the family of Rosemary Nelson – a solicitor who was killed in 1999 by a car bomb planted by loyalists outside her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
He also called on Davis to apologise “to the lawyers and victims whose pursuit of justice you have sought to discredit”.
With additional reporting from Press Association.
david davis John Finucane Northern Ireland October Pat Finucane Sinn Féin The Troubles Irish Politics International