MP slammed over terror slur

THE UNION has condemned a Democratic Unionist MP for accusing BBC journalists in Northern Ireland of “promoting terrorism”.

Sammy Wilson made the charge in the House of Commons after the arrest in March of four BBC journalists as part of a police operation in Donegal in the Irish Republic.

The four were questioned and released without charge, but seven men held with them were held for questioning.

General Secretary Jeremy Dear, said the MP’s comments could put the lives of journalists at risk. “Public representatives should be aware that loose talk and inflammatory language can have serious consequences. The four BBC staff were on an official assignment carried out in accordance with BBC guidelines and with official approval.”

The four, who have not been named, were reporting the activities of the Real IRA for BBC’s Spotlight programme.

Armed Garda Siochana (Irish police) rammed a van they were riding in with three other people after the driver allegedly failed to stop.

The Journalist is published by the National Union of Journalists