This is the full text of the statement issued by Alfredo Scappaticci through his solicitor yesterday:
"I have been instructed by Mr Fred Scappaticci to make the following public statement:
"A number of most serious allegations have been made about my client in the press since Sunday. My client denies each and every one of these allegations.
"He is not 'Stakeknife'. He has never been an informer, has never contacted the intelligence services, has never been taken into protective custody and has never received any money from the security services.
"My client is the victim of misinformation, apparently emanating from the security forces and disseminated by the press.
"Mr Scappaticci is an ordinary working man living in West Belfast and as such has no means at his disposal to combat this onslaught of false allegations.
"Clearly, his life has been placed in danger as a result and he is now in hiding.
"He has not been arrested and no attempt has been made by the police to speak to him about any of the matters referred to by the media. He has not been contacted by the Stevens investigation team.
"Mr Scappaticci has been compelled to issue this statement as a result of the intense media speculation about him. In the interests of protecting his privacy no further statement will be issued at this time.
"Signed,
Michael Flanigan."