Jon Boutcher

The Operation Kenova report highlights the lack of a legal framework to properly govern the use of agents during the Troubles, in which agent handling was seen on occasions as a high-stakes ‘dark art’ practised ‘off the books’.

Former Kenova lead Jon Boutcher used the launch to call for both the UK government and republican leaders to apologise to the families of those who lost loved ones suspected of being state agents during the Troubles.

Mr Boutcher, who led the investigation until his appointment as PSNI chief constable in October 2023, said: “Many of these families have endured endless delays, setbacks and unfulfilled promises in their quest for the truth. Their strength, determination and dignity over many years is the most inspirational aspect of legacy and a lesson to us all.

“It is legacy families who gave up the most under the Good Friday Agreement and we owe it to them to listen to their stories, acknowledge their loss and tell them what actually happened.”

The interim report makes 10 recommendations, including the establishment on a statutory basis of an independent framework and apparatus for investigating Northern Ireland legacy cases.

Kenova will now begin issuing family reports before a final report on the investigation is published under the direction of Sir Iain Livingstone, former chief constable of Police Scotland.

Sir Iain, who took over as head of Kenova in 2023, said: “Today’s report is an important milestone for Kenova in our unwavering commitment to deliver the truth to families about what happened to their loved ones.

“Having worked closely with Kenova as a member of its independent steering group, chairing the governance board and now as officer in overall command I have a deep understanding of the excellent investigative work that has been done.

“I have seen first-hand how investigators have managed to access information which was not previously available to other enquiries and investigations. That information has been crucial in building a clear picture of what happened and developing the findings and recommendations published today.

“However, our work does not end here. In the months ahead, I will ensure we provide specific reports to individual families, to provide clarity on what happened to their loved ones, the truth they have been denied for so long. We will then publish a final report which will tell the full story of Operation Kenova.”