THE alleged IRA agent known as Stakeknife, who categorically denies working for British military intelligence, is not in the custody of the army, the Minister of Defence claimed yesterday.

The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has expressed concern about the length of time it has taken the Stevens team to complete their inquiry and produce a report.

The delivery of a major report into allegations of collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland has been delayed until the autumn, it emerged tonight.

Sinn Fein’s Alec Maskey has called for a full public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane after a leaked police report into the killing highlighted collusion between the RUC and loyalist paramilitaries.

A fresh judicial investigation into the murder of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane will be held in the New Year, the British government said tonight.