Stakeknife inquiry: UK should ‘open up their books,’ says Adams

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said the British government needs to "open up their books" on the use of agents, for the inquiry into the activities of the British Army's highest ranking agent in the IRA.

The Sinn Féin leader said people should “remember what this inquiry is into” when he was asked about republicans’ co-operation with the investigation.

“It’s into the British government’s use of agents. So they need to open up their books,” he said.

Bedfordshire police chief constable Jon Boutcher will head up Operation Kenova which will examine if there is evidence of collusion, murder, attempted murder, perjury or other criminal offences by state agent "Stakeknife", the British army, the security services or other government agencies.

Mr Adams said “Sinn Féin have signed up to processes to deal with all of these issues. The British government has not. Any delay in any of these processes is directly the fault and the responsibility of the British government.”

Speaking to reporters before a meeting in Dublin of the party’s ard chomhairle (national executive), Mr Adams said “we’re prepared to deal with all of this insofar as we can”.

He said it was “clear from revelations around Loughinisland for example that agents were directed”.

He said it was also clear that “the British state has had possession of all of this information for decades now and it’s only through the work and the tenacity of victims, and that’s victims right across a range of issues that the truth is starting to dribble out at this point.”

He added: “So the British state can deal with all of this. Let’s get it all done and dusted.”

Asked if he would meet the inquiry chief the Sinn Féin leader said: “Well I’ve no plans to do so and I don’t know whether he wants to meet with me but we will co-operate with all of these.”

He reiterated that the inquiry set up on Friday “is an inquiry into the British government’s use of agents so relatives, victims deserve the truth right across the whole spectrum of those who have suffered in the conflict.

“And Sinn Féin will use all of our earnest intent in trying to get people the truth.”

The British agent "Stakeknife", believed to be west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci fled Northern Ireland after it was revealed that he was working for the British Army.

He was linked to the IRA’s internal security unit which reportedly interrogated and tortured alleged informers, before killing them.

Mr Scappaticci has denied the allegations. The inquiry is expected to look at IRA involvement in the 50 killings under investigation.