Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Naming agent Stakeknife is appropriate and in public interest for trust building
Conclusion
It is not normal practice to name agents of the state, but in this one instance it is appropriate, proportionate and strongly in the public interest for the Government to name the agent known as Stakeknife. We have been reassured that naming Stakeknife would not put any active agents at risk, discourage existing agents from continuing their work, or deter the recruitment of new agents. We are strongly of the view that, for this single case, naming Stakeknife would help to build trust and confidence in the agencies of the state among all communities. Our conclusion is reinforced by the understanding that a discrete decision to name in this instance would also indicate to agents guilty of conduct beyond acceptable limits that they will not be protected or shielded from the consequences of their actions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 16)