Difference between revisions of "Force Research Unit"

From Powerbase
Jump to: navigation, search
(East Detachment)
m (Agents)
 
(6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 16: Line 16:
 
====Commanders (CO FRU)====
 
====Commanders (CO FRU)====
 
*[[Gordon Kerr]]. Probably cipher A/05 in the report of Sir Desmond de Silva's Pat Finucane Review.
 
*[[Gordon Kerr]]. Probably cipher A/05 in the report of Sir Desmond de Silva's Pat Finucane Review.
*[[Lt Col A/16]] c.1992.<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch3">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter003/ Volume 1 - Chapter 3: Intelligence structures], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
+
*[[Lt Col A/16]] c.1992.<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch3">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter003/ Volume 1 - Chapter 3: Intelligence structures], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref> Given his activities and rank at this period, this may be Lt-Col [[George Williams]].
  
 
====Operations Officers====
 
====Operations Officers====
Line 27: Line 27:
 
*A/11 - c.1986<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 
*A/11 - c.1986<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 
*A/07 - c.1986<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 
*A/07 - c.1986<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 +
*Colour Sergeant A/10<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref> - Nelson's main handler from April 1989.
 +
*A/12<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 +
*A/13<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch7">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter007/ Volume 1 - Chapter 7: The activities of Brian Nelson 1987- 89], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 +
*A/15<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch7">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter007/ Volume 1 - Chapter 7: The activities of Brian Nelson 1987- 89], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Margaret Walshaw]]<ref>David Lister and Ian Cobain, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1131660.ece Stakeknife is 'under guard at old Home Counties airbase'], The Times, 13 May 2003.</ref>  
 
*[[Margaret Walshaw]]<ref>David Lister and Ian Cobain, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1131660.ece Stakeknife is 'under guard at old Home Counties airbase'], The Times, 13 May 2003.</ref>  
 
*[[Ronnie Anderson]]<ref>Liam Clarke, Soldier 'gagged' over RUC tribunal testimony, Sunday Times, 7 October 2007.</ref>
 
*[[Ronnie Anderson]]<ref>Liam Clarke, Soldier 'gagged' over RUC tribunal testimony, Sunday Times, 7 October 2007.</ref>
Line 34: Line 38:
 
*[[Ian Hurst]]
 
*[[Ian Hurst]]
 
*[[Philip Campbell Smith]]<ref>Greg Harkin, EX-ARMY AGENT ON WITNESS 'NOBBLE' CHARGE; FINUCANE MURDER SQUAD COPS RAID AUTHOR'S HOME IN ENGLAND, 19 November 2000.</ref>
 
*[[Philip Campbell Smith]]<ref>Greg Harkin, EX-ARMY AGENT ON WITNESS 'NOBBLE' CHARGE; FINUCANE MURDER SQUAD COPS RAID AUTHOR'S HOME IN ENGLAND, 19 November 2000.</ref>
 +
*[[Peter Jones (FRU)|Peter Jones]]
  
 
==Agents==
 
==Agents==
 
According to "[[Martin Ingram]]", FRU agents were each given a number of which the first two digits signified their location, with the second two providing a unique identifier. The prefix '30' signified the FRU's western detachment (West Det.), while Brian Nelson prefix '61' signified East Det.<ref>Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.</ref>
 
According to "[[Martin Ingram]]", FRU agents were each given a number of which the first two digits signified their location, with the second two providing a unique identifier. The prefix '30' signified the FRU's western detachment (West Det.), while Brian Nelson prefix '61' signified East Det.<ref>Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.</ref>
 
   
 
   
[[Provisional IRA]]
+
 
 
*[[Freddie Scappaticci]]<ref>Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/may/12/northernireland.northernireland1 He did the IRA's dirty work for 25 years - and was paid £80,000 a year by the government], The Guardian, 12 May 2003.</ref>  
 
*[[Freddie Scappaticci]]<ref>Rosie Cowan, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/may/12/northernireland.northernireland1 He did the IRA's dirty work for 25 years - and was paid £80,000 a year by the government], The Guardian, 12 May 2003.</ref>  
 
*3007<ref>Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.</ref> - [[Willie Carlin]]<ref>David Sharrock, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1309226/Army-concealing-information-says-former-agent.html Army concealing information, says former agent], telegraph.co.uk, 20 June 2001.</ref>
 
*3007<ref>Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.</ref> - [[Willie Carlin]]<ref>David Sharrock, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1309226/Army-concealing-information-says-former-agent.html Army concealing information, says former agent], telegraph.co.uk, 20 June 2001.</ref>
 
*[[Peter Keeley]]<ref>Henry McDonald, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2003/may/18/uk.northernireland1 Revealed: five British spies inside IRA], The Observer, 18 May 2003.</ref>
 
*[[Peter Keeley]]<ref>Henry McDonald, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2003/may/18/uk.northernireland1 Revealed: five British spies inside IRA], The Observer, 18 May 2003.</ref>
[[Ulster Defence Association]]
+
*[[Sam Rosenfeld]] - spied on republican dissidents, 1990-1993.<ref name="Mcdonald071203">Henry McDonald, [http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/dec/07/northernireland Army spy faces jail after appeal to Queen over 'murders'], Observer, 7 December 2003.</ref>
 
*6137<ref>Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.</ref> - [[Brian Nelson]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/2944007.stm Nelson's shadowy past], BBC, 13 April 2003.</ref>
 
*6137<ref>Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.</ref> - [[Brian Nelson]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/2944007.stm Nelson's shadowy past], BBC, 13 April 2003.</ref>
 
*[[Ned Greer]]<ref>Henry McDonald, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/apr/20/northernireland The double agent who helped run terror cell], 20 April 2003.</ref>
 
*[[Ned Greer]]<ref>Henry McDonald, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/apr/20/northernireland The double agent who helped run terror cell], 20 April 2003.</ref>

Latest revision as of 17:24, 18 August 2013

The Force Research Unit was a top secret unit of the British Army which was engaged in running informers and has been alleged to be involved in a number of assassinations and murders in Ireland.[1] It has reportedly now been renamed the Joint Support Group.[2] It appears to be associated with the Special Reconnaissance Regiment created in 2005.[3]

History

According to journalist Peter Taylor, the FRU was established in 1979.[4] However, according to the Pat Finucane Review by Sir Desmond de Silva, the unit was formed in 1982, and responsibility for army agent-running in Northern Ireland had previously rested with Brigade Research Units.[5]

According to the De Silva Review: "In a 1988 Directive titled 'Perestroika', the FRU'S CO directed a reorganisation of the Unit in order to make it an "independent unit" within the Army intelligence structures.[5] The Directive outlined the systems for the reporting of intelligence within the FRU; job descriptions for different roles; and a series of moves necessary to establish the independence of the FRU. The changes included agent case files being moved from the offices of the Security Service's Assistant Secretary Political (ASP) to the FRU HQ."[5]

Structure and Personnel

According to the De Silva Review: "The FRU's structure consisted of an HQ and four regional units: North Detachment, West Detachment, East Detachment and South Detachment. Brian Nelson was run from the East Detachment FRU, which covered the Greater Belfast area. Each Detachment employed agent-handlers and an Officer Commanding (OC), who normally held the rank of Captain. The OC of each Detachment reported to the FRU's Commanding Officer (CO). An Operations Officer deputised for the CO and had specific responsibilities for certain areas of operations.[5]

HQ

According to the De Silva Review, The CO of the FRU "in turn reported to the Commander Land Forces (CLF) and the GOC. The Chief of the G2 Intelligence Section was responsible for the Field Intelligence Fund which financed FRU operations."[5]

Commanders (CO FRU)

Operations Officers

East Detachment

West Detachment

Agents

According to "Martin Ingram", FRU agents were each given a number of which the first two digits signified their location, with the second two providing a unique identifier. The prefix '30' signified the FRU's western detachment (West Det.), while Brian Nelson prefix '61' signified East Det.[12]


See Also

Further reading

Notes

  1. Chris Thornton, D-DAY FORCOLLUSION; Prosecutors close to decision on key cases, Belfast Telegraph, 24 February 2007.
  2. Michael Evans, Top secret intelligence unit will quit Belfast for new role in Iraq, The Times, 18 April 2005.
  3. James Kirkup, [VAGUENESS OF ARMY ROLES GIVES RISE TO SUSPICIONS, The Scotsman, 19 August 2005.
  4. Peter Taylor, Brits: The War Against the IRA, Bloomsbury, 2002, p.287.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 3: Intelligence structures, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 7: The activities of Brian Nelson 1987- 89, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
  8. David Lister and Ian Cobain, Stakeknife is 'under guard at old Home Counties airbase', The Times, 13 May 2003.
  9. Liam Clarke, Soldier 'gagged' over RUC tribunal testimony, Sunday Times, 7 October 2007.
  10. Alan Murray, Caught on the web ...; Pic of Stakeknife WITH his agent handler could go online, Sunday Life, 23 November 2003.
  11. Greg Harkin, EX-ARMY AGENT ON WITNESS 'NOBBLE' CHARGE; FINUCANE MURDER SQUAD COPS RAID AUTHOR'S HOME IN ENGLAND, 19 November 2000.
  12. Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.
  13. Rosie Cowan, He did the IRA's dirty work for 25 years - and was paid £80,000 a year by the government, The Guardian, 12 May 2003.
  14. Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.
  15. David Sharrock, Army concealing information, says former agent, telegraph.co.uk, 20 June 2001.
  16. Henry McDonald, Revealed: five British spies inside IRA, The Observer, 18 May 2003.
  17. Henry McDonald, Army spy faces jail after appeal to Queen over 'murders', Observer, 7 December 2003.
  18. Martin Ingram, Greg Harkin, Stakeknife: Britain's Secret Agents in Ireland, O'Brien Press, 2004, p.55.
  19. Nelson's shadowy past, BBC, 13 April 2003.
  20. Henry McDonald, The double agent who helped run terror cell, 20 April 2003.