Former BBC journalist lifts lid on intelligence war in new Troubles book
Neither Confirm Nor Deny: British Intelligence, Lawless Agent Running and the Suppression of Truth, published by Merrion Press, explores the intelligence operations surrounding two of the conflict’s best-known agents – loyalist Brian Nelson and republican Freddie Scappaticci, widely alleged to have been the agent known as Stakeknife.
Ware, a former BBC Panorama reporter who has covered Northern Ireland for decades, argues that successive governments and intelligence agencies frequently prioritized intelligence gathering over criminal prosecutions, raising profound legal and ethical questions about the conduct of the state’s campaign against terrorism.
Drawing on previously unpublished material, the 392-page book promises fresh detail on the recruitment and handling of both Nelson and Scappaticci, as well as the difficult decisions faced by their military handlers as they sought to preserve valuable intelligence sources while preventing violence.
Among the issues examined are the relationship between military intelligence and MI5, the investigations led by Sir John Stevens into allegations of collusion, and the long-running policy of “Neither Confirm Nor Deny” (NCND), under which the authorities refuse to confirm or deny whether an individual acted as an intelligence source.
The publisher says the book also contains new material relating to the alleged use of NCND in legal proceedings connected with Scappaticci, the handling of agent Brian Nelson, and disputes between senior police officers and intelligence agencies over the disclosure of information to bereaved families. These are presented by the author as new findings from his research.
As he writes: “What motivated Freddie Scappaticci to lead his double life fraught with risk? Among the motives recorded in his military intelligence file was his claim that it was for the greater good – he said he wanted to help bring the conflict to an end. Yet it is hard to believe altruism would have repressed the feelings of profound guilt and remorse that most people would experience in the face of such acute moral compromises as Scappaticci was so obviously willing to make to protect himself.
“Presenting himself as a model terrorist extended to sacrificing even family friends – a bridge too far for most mortals to stomach, but not for Stakeknife whose real motive was, as his fellow military intelligence agent Brian Nelson put it, the ‘power of being aware of things that others around you want, the deadly game of working undercover and pitting your wits against those who you seek to compromise.’
Scappaticci was ‘principally focused on himself, and nobody else,’ said PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. ‘He exploited everyone around him.”
Ware began his journalism career in 1971 and was based in Belfast between 1974 and 1977. He later became one of the BBC’s best-known investigative reporters, producing numerous Panorama programs on Northern Ireland and other subjects. In 2004 he received the James Cameron Prize for journalism.
Neither Confirm Nor Deny is published by Merrion Press.
Jack Gleeson and James Nesbitt cast in new Poirot series
Irish actors Jack Gleeson and James Nesbitt have been cast in a new series which tells the story of Agatha Christie’s iconic detective Hercule Poirot.
The BBC has confirmed a new six-part series titled Hercule, which they describe as “an intimate study of Hercule Poirot the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars.”
Set to be filmed largely in Liverpool, Edward Bluemel has been cast at Poirot in the adaptation.
Cork-born Gleeson and Antrim native Nesbitt were announced among the full cast.
Joining them are Henry Ashton, James D’Arcy, Calvin Demba, Phil Dunning, Tamsin Greig, Guy Remmers, Rebecca Rittenhouse and Mawaan Rizwan.
“The series will center around three of Christie’s early stories, while also introducing Hercule Poirot to future friends and allies and one particular nemesis,” a BBC spokesperson said.
Written by Benji Walters, the first two episodes are being directed by Jonny Campbell with Chanya Button and Alrick Riley directing the remaining episodes.
The series will air on in the U.S. on BritBox in 2027.
One Irish author has made the thirteen-book longlist for the Booker Prize 2026.
Djamel White has been longlisted for the prestigious Booker prize for his debut novel All them Dogs.
Set in the “criminal badlands” of west Dublin, the book, which is published by John Murray Press and Riverhead Books, tackles gangland life in the city while exploring the humanity beneath its violence.
The Booker judges praised White’s distinctive voice, describing the novel as a “bracingly unsentimental portrait of West Dublin gangland” and commending his writing as “at once inventive and classically grounded”.
White, who is a graduate of University College Dublin’s Creative Writing course, is one of only three debut novelists to make this year’s longlist, and the only Irish author.
He has previously received a Literature Bursary Award and an Agility Award from the Arts Council of Ireland.
UCD’s first Professor of Fiction and Professor of Creative Writing Anne Enright won the Man Booker Prize in 2007 for her book The Gathering.
“Great books have never been written to a single formula. We are confident that our longlist of books has something for everyone,” Chair of Man Booker judging panel Mary Beard said as she announced this year’s longlist.
The winner of the £50,000 Booker Prize is set to be revealed in November.
THE 2026 BOOKER PRIZE LONGLIST:
- The Shadow of the Object by Chloe Aridjis
- Switzy by Emma Cline
- Helen of Nowhere by Makenna Goodman
- The End of Everything by M. John Harrison
- The Disappearers by Marlon James
- Black Bag by Luke Kennard
- The Renovation by Kenan Orhan
- May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry
- The Palm House by Gwendoline Riley
- The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
- John of John by Douglas Stuart
- All Them Dogs by Djamel White
- The Vivisectors by Missouri Williams
NI Secretary attends Fleadh Cheoil launch during his first visit to North
Newly appointed Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant attended the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann launch event during his first official visit to the North.
The Labour MP for Rhondda and Ogmore in Wales took up the Secretary of State role on July 20 following a cabinet reshuffle by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
He replaced outgoing NI Secretary Hilary Benn.
Bryant was in Belfast for the opening of the Fleadh, which was held in the city for the first time ever.
He attended the August 2nd opening dinner for the event, which was held at Queen’s University Belfast and hosted by the university in partnership with Belfast City Council.
“The performing arts are truly life-affirming,” Bryant said at the event.
“They give us all an opportunity to share in joy and sorrow, even if we’re just sitting in the audience.”
He added: “But the talented performers at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann have not just impressed me; they are showcasing the richness of the Irish music and culture for the many thousands who have traveled from around the world.
“I’m delighted that Queen’s have partnered with the event to ensure that it leaves a brilliant legacy for local arts.”
To mark the festival, Queen’s hosted ‘Fleadh at Queen’s’ – a two-week fringe event featuring film, exhibitions, archive collections, performances and public discussions related to the impact of Irish traditional music.
Irish in Britain’s “Look Back to Look Forward” exhibition was also showcased during the fringe festival.
The Fleadh, which generated 65 million pounds for the economy, and brought an estimated 1.65 million visitors to Belfast over its eight-day run, will return in 2027, making it the first city in Northern Ireland to host the event twice.
“The Fleadh is an opportunity to showcase Belfast to the rest of Ireland and the world – the confident, dynamic and welcoming city that I have the pleasure to lead,” Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly said.“As the Fleadh returns again in 2027, we will build a lasting legacy for the arts, encouraging participation both young and old, and continue to strengthen our local tourism sector as it continues to position Belfast confidently on the world stage.”
The Fleadh runs from August 2 to 9.
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