Consultation process for reports publication protocol

I am today launching an open consultation exercise on the terms of a draft protocol concerning the publication of Kenova’s investigation reports.

A copy of the draft protocol can be accessed here

For the avoidance of doubt, the Kenova investigations include:

1. Operation Kenova ('Stakeknife');
2. Operation Mizzenmast (Jean Smyth-Campbell);
3. Operation Turma (Sean Quinn, Paul Hamilton & Allan McCloy);
4. Operation Denton (The Barnard/Glenanne Series Review).

The draft protocol outlines Kenova’s intentions in relation to interim and final reports, the legal framework within which we must operate and a proposed eight stage process for managing publication. It also explains the purpose of and rationale for each stage and their sequencing.

It is important that I stress two points at the outset:

1. The protocol is a draft drawn up by my team and thus far shared only with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. No part of it is settled and I will not take any decisions about the best way forward or a final version until I have received and taken account of the views of others.
2. The protocol is a process map only. It says nothing about the contents or outcome of any report, notwithstanding the paramount importance of these matters. I am acutely conscious that different stakeholders with different perspectives are concerned that our reports will say either too much or too little. The aim of the protocol is to ensure that we do neither. I am committed to finding and reporting the truth as fully, openly and transparently as possible and without fear or favour. I simply need to find a process which will allow me to do this fairly and lawfully.

I am inviting written submissions on the draft protocol by 4pm on Friday 29 October 2021. The consultation exercise is, of course, entirely optional, but I would be very interested to know any views others may have. Written responses can be sent to me in soft and/or hard copy via:

Email: kenova@met.police.uk and/or

Post: Operation Kenova, c/o National Crime Agency, PO Box 8000, London, SE11 5EN.

In order to maintain Kenova’s independence, openness and transparency, I would wish to publish a list of responders and copies of their responses together with any final protocol. If you would not wish me to publish or disclose the fact or any part of your response or your identity, please make this clear and I will respect your wishes.

I hope to come to final decisions and progress this matter in November 2021, but I recognise that any consultation exercise can throw up new points which may need to be shared with other consultees - so that they can have an opportunity to comment - and that some delay may therefore be unavoidable.

Chief Constable (retd) Jon Boutcher

Officer in Overall Charge

30 September 2021