Westminster Committee Demands Government Formally Name IRA Spy Stakeknife
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster has issued a powerful call for the Government to formally identify the former agent known as Stakeknife. This urgent recommendation follows extensive scrutiny of the agent's controversial role during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Background and Identity of Stakeknife
The Army's former spy within the IRA was widely believed to be west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 77. Despite this widespread belief, successive governments have maintained a strict policy of neither confirm nor deny (NCND) regarding his identity.
Operation Kenova, a comprehensive investigation examining Stakeknife's activities, concluded its final report in December. The probe revealed that Stakeknife has been linked to at least 14 murders and 15 abductions, with findings suggesting that more lives were probably lost than saved through the operation of this agent.
Committee Findings and Public Interest
The cross-party committee of MPs concluded that revealing Stakeknife's identity would be strongly in the public interest. They argue this action would help build trust and confidence in state agencies among all communities in Northern Ireland.
Committee chairwoman Tonia Antoniazzi emphasized the human impact of the current policy: "As Operation Kenova's final report makes clear, the ongoing refusal to confirm or deny Stakeknife's identity is having a profound and lasting effect on victims and their families who have already been through so much."
Reassurances About Agent Safety
The committee received specific reassurances that formal identification would not:
- Put any active agents at risk
- Discourage existing agents from continuing their work
- Deter the recruitment of new agents
Furthermore, the committee contends that naming Stakeknife would send a clear signal that agents who cross acceptable limits will not receive the protection of anonymity.
Support from Law Enforcement Leaders
Kenova chief Sir Iain Livingstone and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who previously led the investigation, have both urged the Government to name Stakeknife. Mr Boutcher welcomed the committee's report, stating that identification would "bring much-needed closure to many victims and families."
He added: "The application of NCND must not be allowed to cover up acts of wrongdoing by the state. I am grateful for the committee taking such care in examining this matter."
Government Response and Ongoing Considerations
A UK Government spokesperson acknowledged the disturbing nature of the behavior described in Operation Kenova's final report, noting that "it should not have happened." The spokesperson highlighted significant reforms to agent handling practices in recent decades.
However, the Government indicated it is not yet in a position to formally respond to the request to name Stakeknife due to ongoing litigation and consideration of the recent Supreme Court judgment in the Paul Thompson murder case. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has committed to updating Parliament as soon as possible.
Broader Recommendations and Future Monitoring
The committee has recommended that the Government should review, in consultation with MI5 and the PSNI, the application of NCND in all legacy-related cases. This review should specifically consider the principles outlined in their report.
The committee also indicated plans to monitor Government progress on implementing Operation Kenova's other conclusions and recommendations, ensuring continued scrutiny of this significant historical matter.
