A police officer brought in to investigate security force collusion in a series of controversial Troubles killings has been identified as the preferred candidate as interim chief Constable of the PSNI.
Jon Boutcher is looking into a series of murders linked to the activities of IRA double agent Freddie Scappaticci.
The west Belfast man was exposed as an army agent several years ago and later fled the city.
His death was announced in April this year.
Mr Boutcher is preparing a report on the activities of Mr Scappaticci who was given the agent name Stakeknife.
During a five-year probe - Operation Kenova - Mr Boutcher investigated whether Stakeknife's army handlers had prior knowledge of killings carried out by the IRA's internal security unit that hunted informers.
Mr Scappaticci was a senior member of that unit.
The first of Mr Boutcher’s reports is due to be published shortly.
He has been identified as the preferred candidate by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which is looking for someone to fill the role of interim chief constable.
In a statement, it said: "The Board has agreed the appointment of an Interim Chief Constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
"The appointment is now subject to due diligence checks and Ministerial approval."
Former chief constable Simon Byrne resigned several weeks ago after a series of controversies, including a huge data breach of his officers' details and a court ruling that he had bowed to Sinn Féin pressure in disciplining two junior constables.
If Mr Boutcher were to be appointed interim Chief Constable he would also be in a position to apply for the permanent position of Chief Constable, which has just been advertised.
He applied for it last time but was unsuccessful and Mr Byrne got the job.
Before he is formally appointed interim chief, it requires sign off by Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
But the report that he is preparing into the activities of Stakeknife and the process whereby it will be published could add a level of controversy.
As it stands, the PSNI Chief Constable has the final say on when the Operation Kenova report is published.
If Mr Boutcher got the permanent job he would then be responsible for the timing of the publication of his own report.
The Relatives for Justice victims' group has suggested that could be a conflict of interest.
Operation Kenova looked at 200 murders over 25 years in a series of linked investigations.
Dozens of files have been sent to the public prosecution service, but no decisions have yet been taken.
