Head of Kenova, Sir Iain Livingstone, has today responded to decisions not to prosecute 12 individuals reported in relation to its investigation into an alleged agent known as Stakeknife.
Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has taken decisions not to prosecute 12 individuals in relation to five incidents which happened between 1987 and 1994.
Sir Iain said: “It is unfortunate that the comments from the Public Prosecution Service are once again limited to those people who remain alive today. I do understand why, but in doing so it only provides part of the story and excludes commentary on the main focus of Operation Kenova.
“Kenova’s position remains that we have recovered a huge amount of new material and made significant forensic breakthroughs. That includes obtaining new physical evidence and repurposing existing exhibits to obtain full DNA profiles on suspects more than 40 years after they were originally recovered. We have also been able to utilise cutting-edge techniques of fingerprint and DNA recovery on ballistic items to present significant evidence linking numerous murder cases forensically for the first time.
“Victims have remained our absolute focus throughout and I’m immensely grateful for the fortitude and bravery of individuals and families for coming forward and putting their trust in Kenova. Many have shared new and significant evidence to strengthen our investigation including physical evidence never previously shared and eye-witness accounts to help us piece together abduction and murder cases and identify those who inflicted serious injury and torment.
“I’m grateful too for the support from former Force Research Unit members who have provided statements and crucial information. Collectively this has helped us build a strong and compelling case which we are frustrated will now not be tested before a court. However, we remain steadfast in our determination to provide families with the truth about what really happened to their loved ones – and committed to sharing a huge amount of information not previously known or given to them through specific family reports.
“That process will begin next week with the publication of the interim report which is an important step in outlining the truth of what happened.”