Kevin Winters

Kevin Winters, of Belfast-based KRW LAW, is representing a number of families of people killed by the Provisional IRA’s internal security unit (ISU) during the Troubles.

Freddie Scappaticci, a high-ranking member of the ISU, has always denied being “Stakeknife”. It emerged yesterday that Scappaticci had died last Thursday.

An inquiry dubbed ‘Operation Kenova’ and led by former Bedfordshire Police chief constable Jon Boutcher has been investigating Stakeknife’s alleged activities.

Mr Boutcher said yesterday: “We are working through the implications of his death with regards to our ongoing casework, which will be progressed in consultation with victims, bereaved families, advocacy support groups and a wide range of statutory and non-statutory partners.”

He added: “We also recognise that people may now feel more able to talk to the Kenova team following the death of Mr Scappaticci, who had long accused by many of being involved in the kidnap, murder and torture of potential PIRA informants during The Troubles.

“I appeal to anyone with information that might help those impacted by the events we are investigating to contact us in confidence to help families understand what happened during these difficult times.”

Speaking after the announcement, Mr Winters said: “The news will frustrate many families who have been waiting for over six years on the imminent publication of Mr Boutcher’s independent report, known as Operation Kenova. Some initial feedback from clients suggests annoyance about the timing of the death, coming as it does on the cusp of the report’s publication later in the summer.

“Not only that but the PPS have been deliberating on prosecution decisions in 33 cases referred by Kenova nearly three years ago. Clearly the death will have an impact on both the content of the report and whether or not criminal prosecutions go ahead. Families of victims will rightly ask questions.

“Their cynicism is heightened upon learning that news of Scappaticci’s burial seems to have been kept quiet by the authorities over the Easter weekend.

“People just aren’t happy and that’s only to be expected given the unexpected news. Answers will be needed sooner rather than later, given heightened expectations that, after all these years, they would finally get some degree of closure.”

He added: “There is a significant volume of litigation ongoing, all of which is linked to the deceased. That includes over 35 High Court civil actions alleging collusion against him and state agencies, together with judicial review challenges touching upon his status as a protected state intelligence asset.

“We have seen it before so many times previously with agents and informants dying before legal processes played out and robbing victims of some semblance of justice. Unfortunately we may now be seeing that again.

“Key to keeping families engaged and on board with the final out-workings of the inquiry is a positive indication that the latest news wont serve to undermine or prejudice decision making.”