A former IRA informer has claimed his identity was unwittingly "revealed" by his British handlers. But Northumbria police say he revealed his identity by writing about his activities in his book Fifty Dead Men Walking.
Mr Martin McGartland (27) appeared on the BBC1 programme Here and Now last night to discuss his treatment by British police and the blame, he says, lies with them for putting his life in danger.
During the programme, Mr McGartland appeared in disguise alongside a former RUC Special Branch officer who supported his claims of unfair treatment. He described Mr McGartland as a "very productive agent". Mr McGartland has been living in Northumbria since he was given a new identity by the security forces several years ago but, in a statement last night Northumbria police rejected any suggestion of unreasonable treatment.