A self-confessed former leader of the Real IRA is claiming that Gerry Adams had nothing to do with the murder of British spy Denis Donaldson, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Speaking to the newspaper last night, the former council member said: "Let me be clear about this. A claim of responsibility was made by (the Real IRA) in 2009 and it was correct".

"Gerry Adams had absolutely nothing to do with the execution of British agent Denis Donaldson. The Provisional IRA wasn't involved in any shape or form. I don't know why allegations that the Provos did it are now being made but they are totally untrue".

Earlier this month, a BBC 'Spotlight' programme showed a man named 'Martin' make a string of accusations against the Sinn Fein leader in relation to the shooting. 

Mr. Donaldson was shot dead in a house in Co. Donegal in 2006 after he admitted being a British spy. His murder was claimed three years later by the Real IRA. Nobody has ever been prosecuted in relation to the case.

LMFM, a local station in Louth, has reported that Adams intends to take legal action against the BBC in relation to the programme. 

NEWS: @GerryAdamsSF to take legal action against the BBC following last week's @BBCSpotlightNI programme. https://t.co/zlUH66FlOB

— LMFM (@LMFMRADIO) September 29, 2016

Adams told The Michale Reade Show earlier this morning that he's been fighting for answers in relation to this case.

The BBC responded to questions from The Guardian stating "The programme dealt with matters of great public interest and fully met the BBC's editorial standards. The BBC stands by its journalism."

BBC Spotlight programme used anonymous single source to smear Gerry Adams https://t.co/FF0MNAijyC

— Roy Greenslade (@GreensladeR) September 27, 2016