No more open-ended inquiries; otherwise non republican tribunals should be established: Campbell

And if we haven't, argues Mr Campbell, then people other than republicans should have their own inquiries.

The Londonderry DUP man made the comments in response to the decision by the Secretary of State Owen Paterson to extend the period of time in which people can make representations on whether or not there should be a full public inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane.

Mr Campbell also said the report into the Claudy bombing of 1972 raised "very serious public interest issues" which should be fully investigated. He said the same applied to the Omagh bombing of 1998.

He said: "The announcement by the Secretary of State raises important points. There are hundreds of families across Northern Ireland who find themselves in a similar position to this family.

"The Historical Enquiries Team (HET) has been doing excellent work helping families and we support the HET in its efforts.

"The Secretary of State should be careful that he does not place one case as a higher priority than another.

"In the case of the Ombudsman's Report into the Claudy Bomb very serious public interest issues arose which should be investigated, this was the case with the Omagh bomb likewise.

"Either we have reached the end of 'Inquiry Road' or we haven't. If we have and as the Secretary of State has stated there are to be 'no more' open-ended inquiries then that should be the end of the matter. If not, then people other than republicans should have their own inquiries.

"People will be asking if Owen Paterson is opening the door to the establishment of yet another multi-million pound Saville Inquiry, the principle beneficiaries of which were lawyers?

"This is a worrying development that appears to contradict earlier statements from this government. The DUP will be raising this matter with the Secretary of State urgently."

In a statement at Westminster Mr Paterson revealed he was to delay his decision until March at least.

He stated: "In my written statement of 11 November, I set out a period of two months during which I would receive representations as to whether it is in the public interest that I should establish a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane.

"As part of this process my officials have had a constructive meeting with representatives of the Finucane family and a further meeting will be arranged.

"In light of the fact that useful discussions are under way between the family and the Government, I have decided, with the agreement of the family, to extend the period during which I will receive representations by two months. When this further period has concluded it remains my intention to consider the family's views carefully and in detail, along with any other relevant representations I receive, before taking a decision as to whether or not it is in the public interest to hold a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane."