Freddie Scappaticci, the West Belfast man who denies he was the IRA spy Stakeknife, has abandoned a court action aimed at clearing his name.
No reason was given when a lawyer withdrew the case in the Court of Appeal in Belfast.
Mr Scappaticci (51), was not in court for the brief hearing. Last month he was due to appeal against the dismissal of his judicial review when he lost a bid to force Northern Security Minister Jane Kennedy to confirm he was not the agent alleged to have supplied the army with high grade intelligence.
That hearing was adjourned after a letter was handed into court. The contents were not revealed and Mr Scappaticci's lawyer later declined to reveal the reason for the adjournment.
The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, said that in view of the withdrawal he would make an order formally dismissing the appeal.