Stakeknife Investigation To Begin

A Police Chief Constable from Bedfordshire has been appointed to investigate the 50 murders linked to the IRA agent Stakeknife.

Mr Jon Boutcher said he will "leave no stone unturned" in finding out the truth.

He said: "I am committed to doing all I can to find the truth for the victims and their families. It is them who we should be thinking of throughout.

"It must be extremely hard to have listened to various commentaries within the community and the media about how and why their loved ones died. I hope this investigation ultimately addresses the uncertainties and rumours. All I can promise is an absolute commitment to pursuing the truth."

The investigation is estimated to take at least five years and will also look into examining possible crimes by IRA members, agents, army and police handlers.

Alliance Justice spokesperson Trevor Lunn welcomed the investigation.

Mr Lunn said: "This is an investigation independent of all of the agencies that may have had any interaction with the handling of Stakeknife, and those bodies should be on notice to co-operate fully in line with both the letter and the spirit of the terms of reference.

"I note that this investigation could take up to five years with an estimated cost of £30m. Indeed, that estimate could change considerably as it unfolds. The indication is that this cost will be borne by the PSNI. The Executive urgently needs to secure financial cover from the UK Government to avoid a financial trade-off with the policing of the present."

(CD)