POLICE in London have raided the home of an undercover IRA agent who had threatened to unmask Stakeknife, the British Army’s mole within the republican movement identified last week as Freddie Scappaticci.

The south London safe house used by Kevin Fulton, who has worked for several British intelligence agencies in Northern Ireland, was raided by the Metropolitan Police Special Branch at 8.20am yesterday. Police searched the premises for several hours but left without making an arrest.

Fulton (not his real name) is a former British soldier from South Armagh who agreed to continue working for the army in an undercover role after he was discharged. He has fed information to MI5, the RUC and customs. He claims his cover was blown by lax security, and he is seeking a pension and compensation.

Fulton claims that the Ministry of Defence reneged on a deal to rehouse him and has lodged the real name of Stakeknife in sealed affidavits in a court case against the British government. He had threatened that he would reveal Stakeknife’s identity in the courts, but denied having done so last weekend.

The Ministry of Defence and Special Branch clearly suspect he did, and fear that more agents could be compromised. They are now investigating whether he knows the identities of any other undercover agents.

Martin McGartland, who infiltrated the IRA in West Belfast and was tracked down and shot by them in Newcastle on Tyne four years ago, has been quizzed by his minders about his relationship with Fulton.

McGartland, who is now living under a new identity elsewhere, said: “My security contact asked me whether I knew Fulton, whether he had my phone number or if he knew where I was. I have had no contact with Kevin since I left Newcastle and I had no reason to think he would, or could, reveal my new identity.”

Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, is heading a probe into the use of agents such as Scappaticci and Brian Nelson, who infiltrated the UDA.

Stevens believes murders were allowed to proceed to help agents rise through the ranks of the paramilitaries.

Martin Ingram, a former agent handler with the Force Research Unit, has assisted the Stevens inquiry. Yesterday he condemned the naming of Stakeknife and called on Stevens to ensure his safety.

“I oppose the public naming of any security force agent,” Ingram said.

“I was not the source for any of the newspapers which broke this important story to the world.

“I am now deeply disturbed that Stakeknife is still reportedly living in Belfast. It is the duty of the Stevens inquiry to put this man beyond harm’s way.”

Scappaticci, a veteran West Belfast republican, has denied that he is Stakeknife and continues to live in his Belfast home.

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