Stakeknife Identity: PSNI Chief Calls for NCND Review

Freddie Scappaticci, a former Belfast bricklayer, has been widely named as the British Army agent codenamed Stakeknife. The agent has been linked to 14 murders and 15 abductions during his time working within the IRA.

Operation Kenova and NCND

An interim Operation Kenova report into Stakeknife’s activities, published in March, stopped short of confirming the identity. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who led the investigation for most of its duration, explained the decision was due to a policy called NCND, meaning Neither Confirm Nor Deny.

This mechanism serves to protect sensitive information and is applied when secrecy is deemed necessary for the public interest and avoiding potential damage from confirmation or denial.

The reported failure to officially acknowledge what journalists and many others have asserted for years was met with widespread criticism. It was viewed as undermining the credibility of the report and leaving victims’ families without closure.

Calls for Transparency

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has written to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn, calling for a review of the NCND policy’s application in legacy cases.

“I believe the blanket application of NCND in legacy cases has the potential to undermine public confidence and add to the grief of families of victims in certain cases,” he added.

“I understand from Cabinet Office colleagues that a review of NCND is under consideration. An update on progress of this work and HMG’s current view would be very helpful.”

Further Requests and Concerns

Livingstone also requested confirmation from the British government regarding their stance on two key recommendations from the Operation Kenova report:

• An apology to the victims of Stakeknife.
• The designation of June 21st, the longest day of the year, as an official day to remember those affected by the Troubles.

Livingstone acknowledged that ongoing civil cases may hinder an immediate apology but sought clarification on the UK government’s position.

What’s Next?

The lives of the victims and their families hang in the balance as they await answers and accountability. Will the UK government take the crucial steps towards transparency and reconciliation?