The final Kenova report by the PSNI into Stakeknife (Liam McBurney/PA)The Kenova report urged the UK Government to publicly reveal the identity of Stakeknife. Mr Boutcher, who headed the Kenova team before joining the PSNI, and its current lead officer Sir Iain Livingstone, appeared before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Wednesday. “If you look at any of the news outlets in Northern Ireland, a week does not pass by where there’s not a mention of a legacy case. “I’m just asking, please listen to other people who have some considerable experience and understanding and more accountability in policing than in the intelligence agencies.”Mr Boutcher was asked if naming Stakeknife would pose any risk to current agents. In its judgment, the court said while it had “considerable sympathy” with the desire of the Mr Boutcher to be transparent, the responsibility lay with the Northern Ireland Secretary over assessing risks to national security.

Source: The Herald January 14, 2026 13:40 UTC