 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Freddie Scappaticci. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2024. |
"Stakeknife" was the code name of a high-level spy who successfully infiltrated the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) while working for the Force Research Unit (FRU), a British military intelligence unit.[1][2] Stakeknife allegedly worked as an FRU informant for 25 years.[2]
Stakeknife has been accused of being a double agent who was involved in the IRA's torture and murder of suspected informers while in the employ of the FRU.[3][4] The British government launched Operation Kenova to investigate claims that the Royal Ulster Constabulary had failed to investigate up to 18 murders, to protect Stakeknife's identity from exposure.
In January 2018, Freddie Scappaticci was arrested amid accusations that he was Stakeknife, a claim widely acknowledged to be accurate. Scappaticci always publicly denied he was Stakeknife.[5] Scappaticci reportedly died in 2023 aged 77. In March 2024, the interim Kenova report was published, authored by Jon Boutcher.[3]
- ^ "Focus: Scappaticci's past is secret no more". The Times. London. 18 May 2003. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2007.
- ^ a b Cowan, Rosie (12 May 2003). "He did the IRA's dirty work for 25 years - and was paid £80,000 a year by the government". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 February 2007.
- ^ a b "Operation Kenova Interim Report | Police Service of Northern Ireland".
- ^ McDonald, Henry; Cobain, Ian (30 January 2018). "IRA informer 'Stakeknife' arrested in murder investigation". The Guardian.
- ^ Farmer, Ben (30 January 2018). "Army spy 'Stakeknife' who was head of IRA's internal security is arrested in investigation over murders". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
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