Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams tonight disassociated republicans who supported the peace process from the killing of agent Denis Donaldson.
As republicans came to terms with the latest twist in the spy scandal that rocked Sinn Fein before last Christmas, the West Belfast MP said he condemned without reservation the murder of his former party colleague.
"I want to disassociate Sinn Fein and all republicans who support the peace process from this killing," Mr Adams said.
"I have an entirely open mind as to who was responsible for this murder. Denis Donaldson worked for the Special Branch, who ruthlessly used him to collapse a democratically elected government.
"Last year they were about to publicly expose him in a further effort to destabilise the process. It is likely that his death at this time is intended to undermine current efforts to make political progress.
"Those who carried out this murder are clearly opposed to the peace process," he said.