The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Jon Boutcher, has formally endorsed a Westminster committee's recommendation for the UK Government to reveal the identity of the secret agent known as 'Stakeknife'.

His comments follow the publication of a report today, Monday 9 February 2026, by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. The cross-party group of MPs concluded that naming the agent—widely identified as the late Freddie Scappaticci—is "strongly in the public interest" and would help rebuild community confidence in state institutions.

Chief Constable Boutcher, who previously led the Operation Kenova investigation into the agent's activities before taking his current role at the PSNI, stated that he welcomed the committee's findings. He highlighted that the recommendation aligns with the core conclusions of the Kenova report, which argued that the long-standing policy of "Neither Confirm Nor Deny" (NCND) should not be used as a shield for historical misconduct. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "Sir Iain Livingstone and I gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in January and today I welcome their report. I endorse their recommendation calling for the Government identification of the agent Stakeknife. This would bring much needed closure to many victims and families."

The Chief Constable further noted that the committee's stance supports a broader need for the Government to review how NCND is applied specifically to cases arising from the Troubles.

"The Committee recommendation supports the findings of the operation Kenova Report which included that Stakeknife should be named with a specific recommendation for a review of the UK Government policy on its Neither Confirm nor Deny (NCND) policy as it is applied to cases that occurred during the Troubles in Northern Ireland," he added. "The application of NCND must not be allowed to cover up acts of wrongdoing by the State. I am grateful for the Committee taking such care in examining this matter."

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report concluded that naming Stakeknife would not compromise current security operations or the safety of active agents. Instead, it suggested that the move would demonstrate that those who commit serious crimes while working for the state will not be protected by lifelong anonymity.