Stakeknife inquiry hits out at MI5

MI5'S initial failure to disclose all it knew about the Army's top spy in the Provisional IRA during the Troubles in Northern Ireland was a "significant failure", an independent report into the activities of the agent known as Stakeknife has said.

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"He is publicly alleged to have been a senior member of the IRA internal security unit and to have been Stakeknife. To directly quote a solicitor for the Kenova families who spoke to the BBC in 2024, the dogs in the street know that Fred Scappaticci is the agent Stakeknife.

"Scappaticci remained a critical person of interest at the heart of Operation Kenova, and strong evidence was found implicating him in serious criminality."

The final report of Operation Kenova said that MI5 had "earlier and greater knowledge" of Stakeknife than it had at first stated. The UK Government has been urged to name Stakeknife, with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher stating the refusal to do so is "bordering on farce".