The publication of the Operation Kenova report, a seven-year investigation into the activities of Freddie Scappaticci, also known as 'Stakeknife', has sparked significant reactions. Scappaticci, a senior figure within the IRA's internal security unit, was revealed to have lived a double life as the British Army's top secret agent for over 22 blood-stained years. The report, which considered 32 individuals for prosecution, highlights his role in numerous murders, where victims were often beaten and tortured. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, leading the investigation, criticized the claims that Stakeknife's actions saved lives, suggesting instead that they might have led to "more lives being lost than saved". The report calls for the UK government to apologize to the families affected by Stakeknife's actions, acknowledging the failures of the security forces during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The investigation's findings have been supported by victims' families, including a victim's daughter, and have led to calls for apologies not only from the government but also from the leadership of the republican movement.
A major investigation into the operation of the British Army’s top agent inside the IRA is a “damning indictment” of the actions of the state during the Troubles, a lawyer representing victims has said ✍️: @DavidYoungPA, Jonathan McCambridge, @cilliansherlock & @RBlackPA…
Families of victims of Freddie Scappaticci, the IRA killer who was also a spy for the British Army, should receive apologies from the government and the leadership of the republican movement, a groundbreaking report said on Friday ⬇️ https://t.co/L11QiIfhDM
🔺 NEW: Operation Kenova: The key points from groundbreaking Stakeknife report Read the full analysis below ⬇️ https://t.co/AfM5znugiA
'I have never encountered such intensive levels of inter-facing between police, families, witnesses and many others', says the solicitor for the Kenova families, as he responds to the report into the 'Stakeknife' British spy. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602 https://t.co/E8MStDe6ET
"Generational trauma continues to impact so many families decades later." Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill delivers a news conference following a report into Stakeknife, a top British mole inside the IRA. https://t.co/QlT1vvuGac 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602 https://t.co/QY2ZuDIkmM
The 'golden egg' spy who became the IRA's biggest traitor: Feared 'nutting squad' executioner 'Stakeknife' lived double life as British Army's top secret agent for 22 blood-stained years- before fleeing to suburban Surrey when his epic betrayal was exposed https://t.co/Fvq4zWLl8Y https://t.co/8sCxrsynVg
'The UK government should apologise to the Kenova families for the failures of the security forces to protect the lives of their loved ones,' says chief constable Jon Boutcher. https://t.co/AHTjCXSNcB 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube https://t.co/vy3dxgWkyJ
During the Troubles, the security forces operated in a "uniquely challenging environment" says Chief constable Jon Boutcher. "Mistake were inevitable" he adds. https://t.co/31bmBshdVD 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube https://t.co/POLELEUwpy
"The claims about countless lives being saved by Stakeknife are inherently implausible", says chief constable Jon Boutcher, adding that his actions probably resulted in "more lives being lost than saved". https://t.co/ZCcCz42esW 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/3EMnve7M3i
"You are not mad. This was happening and this should not have happened." Chief constable Jon Boutcher addresses bereaved families following the release of the Kenova report on the activities of a British mole inside the IRA. https://t.co/ZCcCz42esW 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/E3QMgfypNR
‘Stakeknife’ report calls for UK government apology for Northern Ireland deaths https://t.co/lEUzrNG6Vu via @ft
Inquiry into IRA murders supported by victim’s daughter despite lack of prosecutions https://t.co/Hb1B3KZqY6
Operation Kenova: Stakeknife report into top IRA spy to be published https://t.co/9dPp4qpoLm
Scappaticci: The IRA executioner next door https://t.co/jFSXzY3BY4
The interim findings of a seven-year investigation into murders linked to the British Army's most prized mole in the IRA will be published later. 🔗 Read more https://t.co/EdLebSR6qD
🔎 In depth: Stakeknife: the serial killer that the British state protected Freddie Scappaticci’s victims were beaten and tortured until they admitted to being informants ⬇️ https://t.co/VYVmQDdPbZ
Why did the IRA not kill Stakeknife? https://t.co/lXCoZxvJQ7
Freddie Scappaticci a senior figure in the IRA’s internal security unit, was a killer. Yet for the last 20 years of his life, he lived under the protection of the British state ⬇️ https://t.co/4bfZLFGa4c
Stakeknife case saw 32 considered for prosecution https://t.co/PkUA8tj7zq