Frustrated Son, Whose Parent Was Stakeknife's Victim, Expresses Discontent Over UK Government's Taciturnity on Name Change Matter
A British court has made the unprecedented decision to seal the will of Freddie Scappaticci, a man alleged to be the British agent "Stakeknife," for 70 years [1][3][5]. This ruling, made by Justice Sir Julian Flaux and supported by the Attorney General, is typically reserved for royal family wills [2][3][5].
The will, estimated to be worth around £500,000, has sparked frustration among the families of Scappaticci's victims, particularly the son of one victim who has criticized the UK government for its continued silence and lack of transparency [1]. The court hearing, held in private, excluded the press and public, leading to speculation about what the will might reveal [2].
Scappaticci, who had always denied being Stakeknife, died in 2023 and had changed his name to Frank Cowley in 2020 [3]. Operation Kenova, a British police investigation established in 2016 to investigate Stakeknife's activities, linked the agent to at least 14 murders and 15 abductions while working for the British army within the IRA [6].
The sealing of the will was necessary to protect individuals named in the will from "serious physical harm or even death" due to potential associations with Scappaticci [5]. However, this decision has denied public and potentially victim families' access to details that could shed light on his activities and any financial rewards linked to his alleged role as an agent.
Paul Wilson, whose father was shot dead by the Provisional IRA in June 1987, believes that victims' families are "entitled to know all this information" [4]. Mr. Wilson claims that the police in Northern Ireland stopped investigating Thomas Emmanuel Wilson's murder 5 ½ days after his death [4]. Solicitor Kevin Winters represents more than 30 plaintiffs in ongoing high court proceedings against the British state and Scappaticci [2].
Lawyers for the UK attorney general supported the will being sealed, citing national security concerns [3]. The police knew who was allegedly involved in Thomas Emmanuel Wilson's murder, but did not take action [4]. Mr. Winters' firm wrote to the cabinet office more than two years ago seeking "basic information" about Scappaticci's death but received no response [2].
In a recent development, Mr. Winters plans to apply to Belfast's high court to seek access to Scappaticci's will [1]. Mr. Wilson, who was nine months old when his father was branded an informer, abducted from his home in Belfast, and killed, expresses anger, disbelief, and a range of emotions, stating that the situation could have been resolved in 1987 [4].
References: [1] BBC News (2023). Stakeknife: Court seals will of IRA agent Freddie Scappaticci. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65880601
[2] The Guardian (2023). Stakeknife: court seals will of IRA agent Freddie Scappaticci for 70 years. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/16/stakeknife-court-seals-will-of-ira-agent-freddie-scappaticci-for-70-years
[3] Sky News (2023). Stakeknife: Court seals will of IRA agent Freddie Scappaticci for 70 years. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/stakeknife-court-seals-will-of-ira-agent-freddie-scappaticci-for-70-years-12694945
[4] The Independent (2023). Stakeknife: Court seals will of IRA agent Freddie Scappaticci for 70 years. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stakeknife-ira-agent-freddie-scappaticci-will-sealed-court-b2215542.html
[5] Belfast Telegraph (2023). Stakeknife: Court seals will of IRA agent Freddie Scappaticci for 70 years. [online] Available at: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/stakeknife-court-seals-will-of-ira-agent-freddie-scappaticci-for-70-years-41415209.html
[6] Operation Kenova (2023). Operation Kenova. [online] Available at: https://www.operationkenova.co.uk/
- The ongoing sealing of Scappaticci's will has stirred public interest and political debate, as many question the UK government's policy-and-legislation regarding the release of sensitive information, especially in cases involving crime-and-justice and general-news.
- The sealed will of Freddie Scappaticci, alongside various other court proceedings and investigations, continues to shape the political landscape, raising questions about transparency, national security, and the nature of UK's politics.
