Irish Republican News · March 3, 2004

`Stakeknife' case adjourned after mystery appeal

A High Court action by the man who denies he was the British spy `Stakeknife' was adjourned in unusual circumstances yesterday.

Freddie Scappaticci from West Belfast was due to appeal against the dismissal of his judicial review last August when he lost a bid to force the British government to confirm he was not the agent alleged to have supplied high grade intelligence on the IRA.

Mr Scappaticci's lawyer Michael Lavery was allowed an adjournment after all parties received a letter giving the reason for the application, which was not disclosed.

The Lord Chief Justice said that rather than adjourn the appeal indefinitely it would be put in for mention again on April 23.

Meanwhile, a tape purporting to be that of the alleged super-spy in conversation with journalists emerged on the internet at the weekend.

The lobby group Families Acting for Innocent Relatives has since met the PSNI to urge an investigation into what was said on the tape about Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness and others.

Members of the Sinn Féin leadership, who have defended Mr Scappaticci from his accusers, have denied the allegations.

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