Mr Justice Humphreys also concluded that the operation was not planned in a manner which minimised the need for lethal force.

The legislation offers a conditional amnesty to people accused of Troubles-related crimes.

A lawyer for Mr Brown’s family said the case for a full public inquiry is now overwhelming.

A barrister representing the family of Sean Brown told a court their treatment by state agencies was a ‘public shame and a public disgrace’.

High Court judge Mr Justice Colton will hear the case at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast.