Judges in Belfast have ruled that NI Secretary Hilary Benn is acting unlawfully in failing to hold a public inquiry into Mr Brown’s murder.

The GAA official was murdered in 1997 by loyalists.

The ICRIR was created by the controversial Legacy Act which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths.

Labour committed to repealing and replacing the Legacy Act but have kept the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

Sir Declan Morgan said a Court of Appeal judgment had “clearly and unequivocally” endorsed the independence of the commission.

Different challenges against a High Court judgment on the contentious legacy laws were mounted by bereaved relatives and the UK government.

Ireland has challenged UK legacy legislation at the European Court of Human Rights

Peter Sheridan insisted that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) has not “stopped justice”.

The legislation has been opposed by all Northern Ireland political parties as well as victims’ organisations.

Northern Ireland’s former Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan leads the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery