British spy in IRA and 20 others could be charged with Troubles-era crimes

Belfast prosecutors considering action against 'Stakeknife' and his British army handlers

A police inquiry into one of the biggest spy scandals in the history of British intelligence has recommended that more than 20 people including senior security force personnel and ex-IRA members be considered for prosecution, the Guardian has learned.

Operation Kenova, the multimillion-pound investigation into "Stakeknife" - the army agent at the heart of the IRA during the Northern Ireland Troubles - has now sent files identifying military commanders and at least one IRA veteran with a so-called "get-out-of-jail" card to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Belfast.