On 20 September 2016, BBC Northern Ireland's "Spotlight" aired a programme in which a British spy (known only as "Martin") who had infiltrated the IRA claimed that Murphy and other leading South Armagh Republicans had demanded the killing of Donaldson and that it would have been sanctioned by Gerry Adams. The agent stated, "I know from my experience in the IRA that murders have to be approved by the leadership". When he was asked specifically who he was referring to, he went on: "Gerry Adams, he gives the final say." 'Martin' also dismissed claims the Real IRA was responsible for Donaldson's killing, saying they made the claim "for the kudos, a forlorn hope that someone might take them more seriously these days".