A new investigative podcast series from BBC Radio 5 Live, Stakeknife, unravels the chilling and complex story of Freddie Scappaticci, a man who led a double life, operating both as a senior member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and as a British Army agent. His secret role within the IRA not only shielded him from justice but also allowed him to orchestrate murders of suspected informers. This BBC investigative series sheds light on Scappaticci’s deadly and treacherous path, uncovering shocking revelations through exclusive interviews and archival recordings.
Introduction to Stakeknife: The IRA’s Deadliest Informant
Freddie Scappaticci, who earned the IRA moniker “Stakeknife,” is now one of the most infamous figures in the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. For over two decades, Scappaticci was trusted by the IRA to serve as part of its internal security force, known as the Nutting Squad. In this role, he was responsible for interrogating and executing suspected informants. However, while serving as a ruthless enforcer, Scappaticci was also secretly working as a British Army agent, feeding intelligence back to his handlers in the military.
This two-faced double agent held a significant and treacherous position in both the IRA and British intelligence, a position that allowed him to get away with murder — both figuratively and literally. Now, in the latest BBC podcast, listeners are invited to hear the full extent of his secret life, his betrayals, and the consequences of his actions during the Troubles.
A Deadly Double Life: Scappaticci’s Role in the IRA and British Army
Scappaticci’s involvement with the IRA began in the early 1970s, during the peak of the conflict in Northern Ireland. As a senior member, he gained the trust of his peers and superiors. His role within the Nutting Squad, the IRA’s internal security unit, gave him significant power over the fate of suspected informants. His job was simple yet brutal: root out traitors by any means necessary. This often involved the torture and execution of alleged informers, a practice Scappaticci would carry out without hesitation.
What made Scappaticci particularly dangerous was the fact that, unbeknownst to his comrades, he was also a key asset for the British Army. Recruited by British intelligence during the 1980s, Scappaticci became an invaluable informant who passed critical intelligence about IRA activities and members to the British military.
For nearly 20 years, he played both sides of the war — working as a trusted IRA enforcer while feeding British authorities information on his own comrades. His ability to maintain this deadly balance made him one of the most effective yet controversial agents in modern espionage history.
The Murder of Alleged Informers: Scappaticci’s Deadly Legacy
Between 1978 and 1994, over forty individuals were executed by the IRA on suspicion of being informants. These murders were often carried out by the Nutting Squad, under the supervision of Scappaticci. Many of these victims were innocent, caught in a web of paranoia and suspicion, while others were targeted for personal reasons. The most shocking part of the story is that Stakeknife was not only involved in orchestrating these murders but was, in many cases, the one who made the final decision on who lived and who died.
Through secret surveillance, the British government knew about these killings but failed to intervene. The podcast delves deep into this dark chapter of the conflict, questioning why these killings were allowed to continue unchecked. What does this say about the role of the state in protecting informants, and to what extent did British intelligence turn a blind eye to Scappaticci’s crimes?
Family Perspectives: The Victims of the Nutting Squad
One of the most poignant aspects of the Stakeknife podcast is the interviews with the families of the alleged informers who were murdered. These families, many of whom have remained silent for decades, finally break their silence, providing heartbreaking accounts of their loved ones’ deaths.
In one particularly moving segment, a daughter of a murdered man asks the podcast producers, “Who gets to play God?” This question strikes at the core of the moral dilemmas surrounding the actions of both the IRA and British intelligence. Many of these families are still haunted by the stigma of having their loved ones labeled as “traitors,” with some still fearing reprisals for speaking out.
These emotional testimonials underscore the human cost of the Troubles and the legacy of fear and division that still affects Northern Ireland today.
The Role of British Intelligence and Stakeknife’s Protection
A central mystery that the podcast explores is why Scappaticci was protected for so long. Why did British intelligence continue to allow him to operate, despite knowing that he was involved in murders? How did he manage to walk the fine line between two deadly factions without being exposed?
Mark Horgan, the host of the podcast, reflects on the state structures that protected Scappaticci, the systems that ignored his actions, and the devastating consequences for the families of those he betrayed. Through interviews with former British Army handlers and secret recordings, listeners are taken behind the scenes to understand how Scappaticci’s handlers viewed him as a “golden egg,” a prized informant who was worth more alive than dead, no matter the cost.
Podcast Production and Impact
The Stakeknife podcast is a meticulously researched, highly immersive series that spans ten episodes, each of which builds on the last to uncover the full extent of Freddie Scappaticci’s betrayal. With a blend of engaging storytelling, compelling sound design, and real-life testimonies, the series takes listeners deep into one of the darkest chapters of British and Irish history.
Dylan Haskins, the commissioner for the series, points out that the podcast aims not just to tell the story of one man but to expose the wider political and moral implications of his actions. The series does not shy away from the complex and uncomfortable truths, including the way both the British and Irish governments handled the conflict, often turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Impact of Stakeknife’s Betrayal
The legacy of Freddie Scappaticci — the ultimate double agent — continues to resonate today. Families are still searching for closure, while the complex web of state secrecy, political intrigue, and human suffering remains tangled in the history of the Troubles. The Stakeknife podcast is not just an investigation into one man’s betrayal but an examination of the moral compromises made by both the IRA and the British government during a bloody and tumultuous period.
By sharing the stories of those affected by these events and diving deep into the archives, BBC Radio 5 Live’s investigation offers a compelling and harrowing look at one of the most notorious figures in modern espionage.
Listen to Stakeknife: The Full Story
The first two episodes of the Stakeknife podcast will be released on Friday, 22nd November, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. Don’t miss this gripping series that unveils the truth behind one of the most notorious figures of the Northern Ireland conflict.
