Operation Kenova: 'false claims and conspiracy theories' behind much of the Stakeknife controversy

​​The use of agents within terrorist organisations “undoubtedly saved lives” during the Troubles, but the guidelines were “not designed or suitable for the type of conflict experienced in Northern Ireland,” the Kenova report has found.
By Mark Rainey
Published 8th Mar 2024, 15:10 BST
Updated 8th Mar 2024, 15:41 BST
Sir Iain Livingstone (left) and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher at the launch of the Operation Kenova report. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEyeSir Iain Livingstone (left) and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher at the launch of the Operation Kenova report. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Sir Iain Livingstone (left) and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher at the launch of the Operation Kenova report. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye

​In a comprehensive report published on Friday (8 March), the Operation Kenova team is scathing in its criticism of both the security forces and the Provisional IRA, but dismisses many of the allegations made against the police and intelligence services as based on “false claims and conspiracy theories”.

The report concludes that much of the commentary around the agent known as Stakeknife is “wild and inaccurate conjecture, speculation and nonsense”.

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It also addresses some of the most serious allegations, confirming that Stakeknife’s handlers “did not” direct loyalist paramilitaries “away from Stakeknife towards other more valuable targets in order to protect him”.

It also highlights the “enormous challenges” faced by the security forces and “acknowledges they overwhelmingly sought to act in the public interest,” as well as recognising their “immense sacrifice and the losses they suffered” in the line of duty.

The report states that although there were instances during the Troubles where serious crime “went unsolved and unpunished,” these were "less frequent,” than those where lives were saved.

However, the report points to a number of failings, on the part of agent handlers, their superiors and the overall governance of human intelligence sources.

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And, referring to Stakeknife in particular, states that more lives were probably lost than saved.

Freddie Scappaticci pictured at the 1987 funeral of IRA man Larry Marley. Photo: PacemakerFreddie Scappaticci pictured at the 1987 funeral of IRA man Larry Marley. Photo: Pacemaker
Freddie Scappaticci pictured at the 1987 funeral of IRA man Larry Marley. Photo: Pacemaker

The interim findings examined 101 murders and abductions linked to the Provisional IRA’s so-called ‘nutting squad,’ which was responsible for the interrogation, torture, and oftern murder, of people suspected of passing information to the security forces.

Stakeknife is widely reported to have been west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who died last year aged 77. He repeatedly denied that he was Stakeknife.

Last week the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland announced that no prosecutions would be pursued after consideration of the last batch of files from the investigation.

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Some 32 people, including former police, former military personnel and people linked with the IRA, were considered for prosecution on a range of charges from murder and abduction to misconduct in public office and perjury.

However, the PPS found there was insufficient evidence to pursue cases.

The Kenova report stops short of confirming Scappaticci as Stakeknife, saying it is adhering to the government NCND (neither confirm nor deny) protocol which prevents agents – either alive or dead – being identified.

This is a protocol the report’s main author, Jon Boutcher, believes should be set aside in this case, and he hopes this will happen before the publication of his final report.

Despite its adherence to the NCND protocol, the Kenova team said it had passed “strong evidence of very serious criminality” by Scappaticci to prosecutors in Northern Ireland prior to his death.