UK’s MI5 protected IRA agent who committed murders, police report finds

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Caolán MageeDecember 9, 2025 at 05:49 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

A police report from Operation Kenova, a nearly decade-long investigation, found that the UK's MI5 protected a top IRA double agent, known as "Stakeknife," during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Stakeknife, believed to be Freddie Scappaticci, led the IRA's internal security unit while secretly working for British intelligence. The report states that MI5 allowed Stakeknife to continue committing serious crimes, including murder and abduction, due to a "perverse sense of loyalty," and even removed him from Northern Ireland when he was wanted by police. The investigation also criticized MI5 for obstructing the investigation by delaying the release of key documents. The Troubles, a conflict between Irish republicans and British forces/unionists, resulted in approximately 3,500 deaths before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UK ×350% Freddie Scappaticci ×260% IRA ×370% MI5 ×480%

Keywords

ira 90% mi5 90% double agent 80% northern ireland troubles 70% operation kenova 70% stakeknife 60% british security services 60% murders 60% police investigation 50% good friday agreement 40%