Scappaticci wins first case against Government

A Belfast man named in recent newspaper reports as IRA informer 'Stakeknife' has won his first case against the Government in the hope of clearing his name.

Freddie Scappaticci, 59, strenuously denies the allegations and has called on Security Minister Jane Kennedy to confirm that the story is false.

Mr Scappaticci brought his case to Belfast's High Court after the Government refused to comment on the allegations saying it never speaks publicly about intelligence matters.

At today's hearing, Mr Justice Kerr said it was "reasonable to require the minister to make the statement that he (Mr Scappaticci) seeks" and that a statement that the claims are untrue "would at least cast doubt on their accuracy".

Mr Scappaticci brought the action to the High Court saying his life was in danger because of the Minister's refusal to confirm that he was not a British Agent.

Thanks to the ruling he can now proceed under the Data Protection Act.

His solicitor Michael Flanigan said the case would now proceed to a full judicial review hearing.

Four Sunday newspapers last month identified Mr Scappaticci as British Army spy 'Stakeknife'. They claimed he was behind the murder of numerous IRA informers despite being a paid member of the British security forces himself.

(MB)