GERRY ADAMS IS going to sue the BBC, Sinn Féin has confirmed to TheJournal.ie.

The Sinn Féin president said he specifically and categorically denied allegations, made in a recent BBC Spotlight documentary, that he approved the killing of IRA double agent Denis Donaldson.

The explosive claim was made by an anonymous man, who claimed he was also a paid British spy in the IRA, to the Spotlight programme.

Donaldson (55), a Sinn Féin official and close colleague of Adams, was shot dead at an isolated cottage near Glenties in Co Donegal in April 2006.

He was killed months after admitting, in 2005, that he had worked as an M15 agent for over 20 years. Donaldson had worked for Sinn Féin as an administrator at Stormont and was a former IRA member.

Adams confirmed to TheJournal.ie this lunchtime that he will be taking legal action against the UK broadcaster over contentions made in the programme. In a statement, he said:

“I have been consulting with my lawyers and we will now be taking action against the BBC in relation to the totally false allegation contained within the BBC Spotlight broadcast.

This matter is now in the hands of my lawyers and I will not be making any further comment.

He would not comment further on what basis the action would have. The BBC has said it stands by its journalism.

Adams at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin in 2005, when he outlined the reasons Donaldson was expelled from Sinn Féin. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

Real IRA

In response to queries from TheJournal.ie, the Sinn Féin press office pointed to a story in today’s Belfast Telegraph in which a former Real IRA figure is quoted as taking responsibility for Donaldson’s killing.

A former Real IRA figure is quoted in the story as saying:

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.

The Real IRA previously took responsibility for the shooting in 2009.

Denis Donaldson pictured in 2005. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Read: Gerry Adams rejects claims that he sanctioned murder of IRA double agent

Read: Vincent Browne: I’m no friend of Gerry Adams, but the BBC Spotlight programme on him was tittle-tattle