Mr Gerry Adams has claimed comments made in an interview indicating he "might be wrong" in his belief the IRA was not involved in the Northern Bank robbery have been misrepresented.
The Sinn Féin president was referring to comments made on Spanish radio station during a trip to promote his book Hope and History.
During an interview with a Madrid radio station, Mr Adams repeated that he did not believe the republican terror group carried out the December 20th heist.
He said: "The IRA has said it was not them. I believe them", adding: "But maybe I am wrong."
But in a statement released by Mr Adams later last night he claimed he had been misrepresented. "I made it clear that the IRA has said it wasn't involved and that I believe its disclaimer," he said. "Any other interpretation of my remarks is mischievous and misleading."
Despite claims by the Independent Monitoring Commission that Sinn Féin leaders sanctioned the robbery, Mr Adams has insisted his party was not involved.
He conceded the allegations had soured the political atmosphere but expressed hope that there could be political progress after the British general election.
