Operation Kenova is an ongoing criminal investigation into whether the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland failed to investigate as many as 18 murders in order to protect a high level double agent codenamed Stakeknife who worked for the Force Research Unit, while at the same time he was deeply embedded and trusted within the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA).[1] The 2017, initial investigation was headed up by Jon Boutcher the former Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police until his appointment as Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2023.[2] It is now led by Iain Livingstone, former Chief Constable of Police Scotland.[3]
Stakeknife, a Government asset and widely acknowledged to be Freddie Scappaticci led the IRA Internal Security Unit, also known as the Nutting Squad that had killed around thirty people while Scappaticci was involved with it.[1] Senior British officers had referred to Stakeknife as the "golden egg" due to the calibre of information he supplied.[1]
Research by Panorama suggested that Stakeknife was so highly prized that other agents were sacrificed to conceal his identity.[1] Panorama claimed that Joseph Fenton was executed by the IRA despite Stakeknife informing his handlers that Fenton was to be killed.[1] The authorities failed to react and did nothing to prevent the murder.[1]
In July 2020 Boutcher expressed concern with the British Government's idea to close most legacy investigations and provide full investigations into only a few. He questioned whether the plan complied with the law.[2]
A year later, investigators working for Kenova announced that they had obtained new DNA evidence relating to the murder of Thomas Oliver.[4][5]
Kenova interim report edit
On 8 March 2024, the Kenova interim report by Boutcher was published. On Stakeknife, it says, "The number of lives he saved is between high single figures and low double figures and nowhere near hundreds". He cost more lives than he ever saved. He was involved in criminality, terror and murders, that could not be defended. Boutcher said Scappaticci should have been prosecuted and called upon the Government and Republicans to apologise to all of the affected families who had suffered abduction and murder. The interim report lists a total of ten recommendations.[6][6]
The Kenova investigation has so far taken seven years and cost over £40,000,000. Northern Ireland first minister Michelle O'Neill reiterated her apologies for all the lives that were lost, during The Troubles.[7] Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, stated that the Government's position was to await the Kenova final report, before taking any decisions.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Batchelor, Tom (11 April 2017). "Police 'failed to investigate 18 murders in Northern Ireland to protect IRA mole'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Julian (30 June 2020). "Jon Boutcher voices "extreme caution" over legacy idea". BBC News. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Ex-Police Scotland chief to lead Kenova probe as Jon Boutcher takes up top PSNI job". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 12 October 2023. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Carroll, Rory (19 July 2021). "Police find new forensic evidence in case of farmer murdered by IRA". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Investigation into IRA murder of Tom Oliver uncovers new DNA evidence". TheJournal.ie. Press Association. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Operation Kenova Interim Report | Police Service of Northern Ireland".
- ^ "First Minister Michelle O'Neill reiterates apology for all lives lost in Northern Ireland Troubles". UTV – ITV News. 8 March 2024.