Today we know that Stakeknife existed, and that he was Freddie Scappaticci. We know that Scappaticci, at the top of the IRA unit hunting informers was himself an informer for British security forces. But prior to the story being brought to light by journalist Liam Clarke, then at the Sunday Times, the public, and indeed the IRA, had no idea. There was a clear public interest in the story, but when it began to emerge M15 and MI6 went to great lengths to try to keep a lid on it – and were worried about another story Clarke was investigating, which involved Martin McGuinness. Formerly secret ‘Kew Files’ reveal their motivations.

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stormont, through Invest NI, is funding a CIA-linked firm whose secretive and powerful tech is being used by Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown force - ICE Software developed in Belfast by Nisos, a company founded by former intelligence operatives, is now being used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. A former Nisos employee says few people understand the significance of what’s involved, but “it’s like handing a toddler a loaded gun”. Invest NI, is an agency under Sinn Féin Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald’s department – she ordered officials to look into the funding.

The Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Noah Donohoe inquest has been hearing evidence from Daryl Paul – the man convicted of stealing the teenager’s rucksack. It had earlier heard in evidence from Maria Nolan that claims the teenager had been attacked were based on “rumour and speculation”. Earlier this week, the inquest heard that PSNI officers searching for Noah “never” thought they would find the schoolboy in the storm drain tunnel where his naked body was eventually discovered.

Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.