Freddie Scappaticci, the IRA agent known as Stakeknife, died in February 2023 at his home in Surrey, where he had been living under the alias Frank Cowley. The final report by Operation Kenova, released this week, confirmed he was Britain's most valuable spy inside the IRA and a sadistic murderer protected by the state.
Scappaticci headed the IRA's internal security unit, the 'nutting squad', responsible for rooting out informants. He would torture and execute suspects, often personally carrying out the killings. The report found that MI5 was aware of his activities and not only allowed them but discussed a 'farewell dinner' to protect his identity in the 1990s.
The report also revealed that British security services successfully argued to maintain a policy of neither confirming nor denying Scappaticci's role, overruling police appeals. Scappaticci had been recruited in the late 1970s, motivated by a desire to avoid prosecution or for financial gain. He expressed a wish for the conflict to end and dissatisfaction with the IRA hierarchy.
For the families of his victims, the report underscored the state's complicity in his crimes. Scappaticci was assisted to leave Northern Ireland after his identity was exposed, and lived comfortably in England until his death.
