The Communities Minister told his scrutiny committee he had made clear to the Loyalist Communities Council the importance of the democratic process.

The First Minister’s comments came amid an ongoing controversy over the decision of two DUP ministers to meet the Loyalist Communities Council.

The Education Minister accused other parties of ‘hypocrisy’ over their criticism of his meetings with the Loyalist Communities Council.

The Committee for Communities has also asked Gordon Lyons to list the groups he has declined to meet.

Solicitor Mr Finucane (39) was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in February 1989.

Mr Finucane’s family have pursued a long campaign for an inquiry into the 1989 shooting in north Belfast.

Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane was shot dead in his family home in north Belfast in February 1989.