State papers: Concerns over possibility of Stakeknife suicide raised in 2003

UK authorities have declined to officially identify Stakeknife, a position described by Mr Boutcher as 'untenable and bordering on farce'

There were concerns that Stakeknife, the British Army's top spy in the IRA's internal security unit during the Troubles, was 'a danger to himself' in 2003, according to Irish Government documents. File photo: Alan Lewis

There were concerns that Stakeknife - the British army's top spy in the IRA's internal security unit during the Troubles — was "a danger to himself" in 2003, according to Irish Government documents.

The agent has been described as one of the British army's most prized assets, bringing them information from within the heart of the Provisional IRA at the height of the Troubles.