PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said he shares frustrations that no prosecutions were pursued as a result of the major investigation he led into the British Army’s top agent in the north during the Troubles.
Mr Boutcher led Operation Kenova, which probed the activities of the agent Stakeknife within the Provisional IRA. prior to taking up his current policing role.
Stakeknife was part of the IRA’s internal security unit, and Kenova examined crimes such as murder and torture and the role played by the security services, including MI5.
The agent was widely believed to be west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who was in his 70s when he died last year.
Last week the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced that no prosecutions would be pursued after consideration of the last batch of files from the investigation.
Some 32 people, including former police, former military personnel and people linked with the IRA, were considered for prosecution on a range of charges from murder and abduction to misconduct in public office and perjury.
However the PPS found there was insufficient evidence to pursue cases.
Interim findings from the investigation are to be published tomorrow.
Appearing at a meeting of the Policing Board today, Mr Boutcher was asked if he shared the views of the current Kenova head Sir Iain Livingstone, who expressed “frustration” that no-one would be prosecuted.
Sir Iain said last week that the team had built “a strong and compelling case which we are frustrated will now not be tested before a court”.
Mr Boutcher responded: “I can say now I agree with Iain Livingstone and I will deal with all of this tomorrow.”
