British Government rejects call for public inquiry into County Derry man's murder
Bellaghy man Sean Brown was murdered by the LVF in 1997
The family of murdered County Derry man Sean Brown has been told the British government will not establish a public inquiry into the killing.
The decision comes six months after a coroner wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland requesting a public inquiry, and the PSNI said it would not stand in the way of the request.
A letter confirming the decision by Hilary Benn was emailed to solicitors acting for the family a short time ago.
Niall Murphy of KRW Winters and Co said they are "devastated" by the news.
The family statement added: “It is not the end of our journey. We are not going away.
“This is merely a decision that will be challenged, and we will look forward with renewed enthusiasm to a judicial review already listed for September 26.”
Mr Brown was chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA in south Derry and was locking up the gates of his club when he was assaulted, abducted and murdered by a loyalist gang in May 1997.
The 61-year-old father of six was taken to a remote country lane outside Randalstown and shot six times.
No one has ever been convicted of his murder, which was carried out by the LVF.
His family has alleged that agents working for RUC Special Branch were involved in the killing and that the investigation was deliberately hindered in order to protect them.
The Northern Secretary said he believes the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) is capable of discharging the Government's human rights obligations in the case, but that has been rejected by the family.
In a statement, the Secretary of State says he recognises the decision will come as a disappointment to the Brown family.
"I am, however, confident in the Independent Commissioner for Reconciliation and Information Recovery’s (ICRIR) capability to deliver justice," he continued.
"I would therefore encourage Mrs Brown and her family to meet with Sir Declan [Morgan] and the ICRIR to hear how the independent Commission would approach any investigation into Mr Brown’s death."