Commenting after a party complaint about an article on the BBC Northern Ireland news website was upheld and the article changed as a result TUV press officer Sammy Morrison said:
“We welcome the fact that the BBC has, on foot of our complaint, accepted that the slur “infamous” should not have been used about the SAS. We also welcome the fact that the complaint was shared with senior colleagues in the BBC’s Belfast newsroom.
“I do not believe that this is an issue which should be left with the individual whose name is attached to the article as senior people in BBC Northern Ireland would have to have signed off on its content prior to publication.
“The reality – as spelt out in the TUV complaint – is that the SAS were heroes. They are famous – not infamous – though out the world for taking the fight to terrorists as happened in the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980 and what would have been otherwise a murderous attack on Loughgall RUC station in 1987.
“The use of the word infamous is only explicable if one were to believe that there is sympathy for Fascism and / or terrorism on the part of the organisation which produced the report.
“BBC Northern Ireland need to reflect on the culture within the organisation when it comes to the forces of our nation who serve King and country with pride and distinction.”