Mr Freddie Scappaticci dramatically emerged in Belfast yesterday to deny he is "Stakeknife", writes Dan Keenan and Suzanne Breen
Accompanied by his solicitor, he appeared before two invited journalists to deny he ever worked as an informer for British military intelligence or that he had been outside Northern Ireland in any form of custody since the weekend.
He said he did not know why he had been alleged to be "Stakeknife".
"My statement, basically, is that I am Freddie Scappaticci. I'm sitting here today with my solicitor. I am telling you I am not guilty of any of these allegations.
"I have not left Northern Ireland since I was challenged by reporters on Saturday night. Nobody had the decency to ask me if any of these allegations were true, and why the police had not come to question me about these allegations."
His solicitor, Mr Michael Flanigan, read a statement in which he claimed his client had been greatly harmed by media reports. "He has never been involved in any criminal activity, and has a clear record."
Warning of possible legal action, he added: "The media coverage of this story has been reckless and extremely damaging to my client. A huge volume of very detailed but completely unsubstantiated allegations have been published by all branches of the media with absolutely no regard to Mr Scappaticci's position or the harm which such publication could cause him and his family."
He said he had been instructed to examine all reports with a view to actions for defamation.
Mr Scappaticci admitted republican involvement 13 years ago, but claimed not to have been "active" since. Reporters were told he wanted to return to his private life in west Belfast.
Sinn Féin later said it had no grounds for questioning Mr Scappaticci concerning allegations. Mr Gerry Kelly, the party's policing spokesman, also accused British "securocrats" of a widespread campaign of misinformation.
He further accused the media of accepting anonymous briefings uncritically from "faceless and unaccountable agencies" who had been involved in the killing of solicitor Pat Finucane and who "continue to control and direct the unionist paramilitaries".
Mr Kelly concluded: "Even before these recent events, there was a clear need for full disclosure of the activities of the faceless and unaccountable agencies.
" That case is now overwhelming. The files must be opened up. There must be full disclosure."
Sources within the republican movement in Belfast told The Irish Times last night that yesterday's developments failed to stem the suspicion among many IRA members concerning Mr Scappaticci.
Ms Jane Kennedy, the North's Security Minister, refused to comment, but some Labour MPs in London and senior members of Fine Gael have called on the British and Irish governments to investigate the activities of "Stakeknife" and to make sure the Stevens inquiry team questions the agent.
Sir John Stevens a top UK police officer, stated last month that he intends to question "Stakeknife", and there has been no retraction of this position since.
Mr Richard Haass, the US special envoy to Ireland, is due to visit Belfast next week, according to reliable sources. Mr Haass met the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, in Washington yesterday, and there are plans for talks involving the North's parties next week.
Speaking in Washington, Mr Murphy said he would not discuss details of the "Stakeknife" revelations. "Obviously governments don't talk about intelligence and security matters. As a rule, when you start, where do you stop?"
Mr Murphy, is in the US to meet with members of the House of Representatives Ireland Committee; US Attorney General Mr John Ashcroft, Senator Hillary Clinton and Mr George Mitchell.
Scappaticci says he never left Belfast; full statements made by Scappaticci and his solicitor: page 10