British must come clean on Stakeknife: Harney

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney yesterday called on the British Government to come clean about the alleged British agent known as Stakeknife.

Speaking in Brussels, Ms Harney said the allegations, if true, were shocking and deeply disturbing.

As the man identified as Stakeknife, Freddie Scappaticci, denied he was a double agent, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the codename may actually apply to two different people.

“I have no specific evidence of the individual called Stakeknife other than the confusion that exists today. I am afraid to say it but there appear to be two individuals with similar titles,” he said.

Mr Ahern also said the Government had raised the matter through the British-Irish Secretariat. But Mr Ahern was not sure the British Government had any information on the matter, as it seemed to be a British Army operation.

The majority of the allegations of collusion with paramilitaries centre around the top secret Force Research Unit, Mr Ahern said.

Ms Harney agreed the British Government should make a statement on the claims that they funded an informer in the IRA who was involved in torture and murder. The Government would express its abhorrence in the strongest possible terms, she said.

“We should have the facts on it. I have a huge concern about what is coming to light. If it is true it is shocking. If matters of that kind were supported in that way we would all have to be concerned. Any democratic government which would fund operations of that kind is most objectionable,” she said.

Mr Scappaticci, a 45-year-old from west Belfast, is alleged to have been a member of the IRA’s internal security unit where he carried out punishment beatings and shootings while at the same time working for British intelligence. He issued a statement through his solicitor yesterday denying the claims and saying he was the victim of misinformation coming from the security forces. In the statement, Mr Scappaticci’s solicitor said: “A number of most serious allegations have been made about my client in the press since Sunday. My client denies each and every one of these allegations.

“He is not Stakeknife. He has never been an informer, has never contacted the intelligence services, has never been taken into protective custody and has never received any money from the security services.”