British Prime Minister Tony Blair tonight faced renewed demands to meet the father of a loyalist murder victim.
Raymond McCord has claimed an Ulster Volunteer Force man involved in the 1997 murder of his son, Raymond Junior, has been protected because he is a police Special Branch agent.
But after the Prime Minister ruled out a meeting ahead of a crucial Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman report into the case, SDLP deputy leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell said there was no excuse for further delay.
"I believe, particularly in light of recent revelations about documented collusion, that Mr Blair has a duty to take the time to meet with Raymond McCord without further delay - the man deserves at least that," the South Belfast MP said.
"He does not expect the Prime Minister to be able to answer all his questions. All he wants is to at least open up a discussion about his concerns.
Dr McDonnell said Mr McCord deserved to know the truth about his son's death.
"Mr McCord's agony has been exacerbated by the murky circumstances surrounding the death of his son. "It is simply not good enough to say that the Ombudsman's report must be produced first.
Raymond McCord Junior, a 22-year-old former RAF operator, was beaten to death and dumped in a north Belfast quarry in 1997.
Nuala O'Loan, the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, is due to report on her investigation into the allegations later this year.
Mr McCord has already held talks with Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, SDLP leader Mark Durkan, Alliance leader David Ford and Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey . He has also met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to discuss the case.
PA