The father of Billy Wright, the Loyalist Volunteer Force leader murdered in the Maze prison in 1997, is to meet his lawyers to decide whether to co-operate with the public inquiry into his son's death.
Speaking yesterday after a preliminary hearing of the inquiry in Belfast, Mr David Wright voiced concern that the hearings are to be held under controversial new legislation.
The opening session of the public inquiry heard from chairman Lord MacLean that he wants hearings held under the Inquiries Act 2005 rather than the Prison Act 1953. Lord MacLean said the new act "provides a clearer basis on which the inquiry can proceed". He believed the new legislation would assist the inquiry.
"I consider that that Act provides a better and clearer framework in which to conduct both our investigations and the public hearings," he said.
However, opponents of the new legislation claim it grants British government ministers powers to withhold the inquiry's findings. Peter Cory, the retired Canadian supreme court judge who recommended the inquiry be held, opposes use of the new act.
Mr Wright, said he respects the views of Judge Cory but also wanted to consider what Lord MacLean said before deciding if he will co-operate with the inquiry for which he has campaigned for over seven years.
"I will be talking with my legals and we will decide whether to co-operate or not. The broad brush strokes of what his lordship said make me very happy.
"But I have to take into consideration that Judge Cory has said very clearly that the Inquiries Act should not be used." He said he was concerned that he could "take part in the inquiry for two years and the government can then move and withhold the report".
There was as much in favour for holding the inquiry under the Inquiries Act as under the Prison Act under which it was originally set up, he said.
Billy Wright was shot dead by three INLA inmates at the high-security Maze prison on December 27th, 1997, prompting suspicion of security force collusion.
In his opening address Lord MacLean stressed his team's independence from government.