McGuinness denies Panorama allegations

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has denied claims that he was involved in luring an IRA informer back to the North in 1986 so he could be killed by his former associates.

The claim was broadcast in a BBC Panorama programme last night.

Panorama said that former IRA man Freddie Scappaticci, who has been named as the British spy codenamed Stakeknife, told the producers of a programme being made in 1993 that McGuinness personally assured Frank Hegarty's mother that he would not be harmed if he returned to Derry.

However, Mr Hegarty was subsequently executed after being interrogated by the IRA.

The makers of last night's Panorama programme said the producers of a programme entitled the Cook Report recorded an interview with Stakeknife in a Belfast hotel car park 10 years ago.

The British spy named Martin McGuinness as a senior IRA man and described him as "evil" and "cold" due to his alleged role in the Hegarty execution.

Panorama also said it could link Stakeknife to Mr Scappaticci, who has denied ever being a British informer and is currently taking legal action to clear his name.

Commenting on the programme, Mr McGuinness described the claims as "scandalous", saying they had no basis in fact and were entirely without foundation.

He said his lawyers had been in contact with the BBC and he was considering his legal options.