THE former English police chief in charge of Operation Kenova has revealed plans to produce an interim report next year.
The Kenova team is currently investigating and reviewing several Troubles linked cases that include more than 200 murders and offences including kidnap and torture.
Operation Kenova was initially set up in 2016 to investigate the activities of the British agent known as Stakeknife, who was a senior figure in the IRA's internal security unit.
West Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci has been named by some media outlets as the agent but has denied the allegation.
Kenova's scope was later widened to include other high profile cases including the murder of Jean Smyth Campbell in west Belfast in 1972 and an IRA bomb that resulted in the deaths of three RUC officers at Kinnego Embankment, near Lurgan, in 1982.
It is also involved in a review of the loyalist Glenanne Gang, which included members of the RUC, UDR and UVF.
Befordshire police chief constable Jon Boutcher last night laid out his plans for releasing an interim report which "will address high level themes and issues concentrating on findings of the three key investigations".
It is expected the report will focus on the Provisional IRA and elements of British security forces including intelligence services, their agents and informers.
Mr Boutcher last night said he has committed to producing a "public-facing" report "outlining our findings to give them the truth of what happened to their loved ones, including who was involved and in what capacity".
"After five years, and with more than 30 files with the Public Prosecution Service NI for consideration, we are now in a position to start preparing for the interim report’s release," he said.
"The report's content will hold great importance to all of those who were involved."
Mr Boutcher said he was keen to stress the "protocol is a process map only".
"It says nothing about the contents or outcome of any report," he said.
"I am acutely conscious that different stakeholders with different perspectives are concerned that our reports will say either too much, or too little.
"The aim of the protocol is to ensure that we do neither."
Mr Boutcher added that he is "committed to finding and reporting the truth openly and transparently and without fear or favour towards any party.
"I simply need to find a process which will allow me to do this fairly and lawfully,” he said.
The consultation is launched today and will remain open until October 29.
It is expected the protocol will be finalised by November with the interim report due to be released within 12 months.
