A former driver for Sinn Féin has been revealed to be an informer for the British intelligence services.
Sinn Féin says it is not surprised by the revelation.
The man who used to work with Gerry Adams and other senior party figures is believed to have left his home in west Belfast earlier today.
The Sinn Féin leader was making no comment tonight following the revelation.
Roy McShane from Belfast area worked for a number of years with Gerry Adams and other senior party figures.
He was part of a pool of drivers conveying Sinn Féin leaders to talks at Stormont and other venues a number of years ago during the peace process.
He has now been taken into protective custody.
A senior republican source said that the party had had concerns about him in recent years and that he had been sidelined.
A party spokesperson said the driver was not a member of Sinn Féin, and had not been privy to any secrets.
‘He is under no threat from republicans,’ the spokesperson said. ‘If he wishes to return, it is up to him to make peace with his community and in particular his family.’
The latest development follows other similar cases in recent years.
In 2005, former Sinn Féin head of staff at Stormont, Denis Donaldson, was revealed to be a secret agent.
He was expelled from the party and shot dead near Glenties, Co Donegal, the following April.
DUP North Antrim MLA Ian Paisley Jnr said the revelation 'once again highlights how far MI5 and the police have penetrated republicanism.'
