Secrets at Stake: How State Secrecy Shapes Northern Ireland’s Troubles

An InDepth examination of Paul Thompson’s 1994 murder in Belfast frames a decades‑long fight over NCND secrecy, pitting bereaved families and police against the government and MI5 over what can be disclosed about state involvement. The Supreme Court upheld keeping material secret for national security, fueling calls for reform as other cases—such as Stakeknife and investigations linked to the Manchester Arena—highlight ongoing accountability gaps for security agencies.