Suspicious McGuinness blocked Stakeknife from resuming IRA ‘nutting squad’ role fearing he was a traitor

Double agent’s life to be laid bare when the Kenova Report is published on Friday

Martin McGuinness and (inset) Freddie Scappaticci

Allison Morris

Martin McGuinness personally blocked the informer known as Stakeknife from resuming his role as head of the IRA’s feared internal security unit – known as the ‘nutting squad’ – after he came under suspicion in 1990.

At the time Mr McGuinness, the future Deputy First Minister, was head of the IRA’s northern command.