Sir John Stevens has investigated collusion allegations since 1989
|
The government must make a statement on allegations surrounding the activities of an Army agent known as Stakeknife, Labour MP Kevin McNamara has said.
Speaking during a debate in parliament, the former Shadow Northern Ireland spokesman said the government must confirm if the man named in the press is now in safe custody.
The Hull MP was speaking during a debate into the Stevens Inquiry at Westminster Hall on Wednesday.
However in response, a government minister said it would not comment on press reports about the alleged activities of Stakeknife.
Northern Ireland security minister Jane Kennedy said it was a matter for Sir John Stevens' team to decide if they wanted to interview him.
The Stevens report in April alleged rogue elements of the security forces colluded with loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Catholics.
Mr McNamara said if the allegations about Stakeknife were true, he would have taken part in anything up to 40 murders of suspected IRA informers as head of the organisation's so-called "Nutting Squad".
"He would be guilty of colluding in the murders of IRA volunteers, police
officers, soldiers and civilians," said Mr McNamara.
"If true, these allegations go to the heart of British involvement in
unlawful actions in pursuit of its objectives in Northern Ireland.
"In light of the public naming of Freddie Scappaticci as agent Stakeknife, I urge the government to end uncertainty around his position and to ensure that no impediments are placed in the way of his questioning by
the Stevens inquiry."
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble urged the government to show caution.
The Upper Bann MP said he was aware there was clamour for more information about the activities of agents to be made public, but there was reason why much material had to remain secret.
He said the government had a duty to protect the public and must not release information that could prejudice people's safety.
Mr Trimble also argued that there were procedures in place to ensure accountability and that where individuals had acted outside the law, prosecutions had taken place.
Military intelligence
The UK's most senior police officer, Sir John Stevens, found members of the RUC and Army colluded with the largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).
The Stevens Three report, which centres on the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989 and Protestant student Adam Lambert in 1987, was handed to PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde in April.
David Trimble has urged caution
|
Informants and agents "were allowed to operate without effective control and to participate in terrorist crimes", the Metropolitan Police Commissioner said.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is considering whether criminal charges should be brought.
Up to 20 Army and police personnel could face criminal charges.
The overwhelming bulk of the detail in the report was withheld because of potential future prosecutions.
Since 1989, Sir John Stevens has been investigating allegations that elements within military intelligence and the former RUC's Special Branch were colluding with loyalist assassination squads.
Most computers will open this document automatically. You may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this PDF document.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~56~RS~)
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
In light of the public naming of Freddie Scappaticci as agent Stakeknife, I urge the government to end uncertainty around his position
