BBC apologises for ‘SF/IRA’ label on 'Question Time'

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

The ‘SF/IRA’ tag was devised by opponents to justify attacks on Sinn Féin members and their families by unionist death squads in the 1980s and early 1990s

THE BBC has apologised for a floor-plan at the Question Time TV programme in Belfast on Thursday night labelling Sinn Féin Education Minister John O’Dowd as “SF/IRA!”

The BBC said on Friday afternoon that the note was written by one of the technical staff for his own use. It described his action as “insensitive and extremely naïve”. 

An eagle-eyed audience member spotted the BBC floor-plan which also had the DUP’s Ian Paisley Jnr labelled as “DUP Goodies”.

Sinn Féin subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the BBC.

John O’Dowd said before the BBC apology was issued:

“One thing is for sure, we will not let the BBC simply sweep this issue under the carpet.

“I had agreed to take part in the Question Time programme on the basis of respect and equality. After the programme was finished I was made aware of the floor plan pinned to a camera branding me a member of ‘SF/IRA!’ This was not on the floor-plan shown to me before filming.”

He explained that the ‘SF/IRA’ tag was devised by opponents to justify attacks on Sinn Féin members and their families by unionist death squads in the 1980s and early 1990s.

For the BBC to use the label, especially 20 years into a peace process, is “beyond belief”, John O’Dowd said.

Question Time is presented by David Dimbleby.

Other guests were Tory Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, Labour Shadow Secretary Vernon Coaker, gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and former Islamist radical Maajid Nawaz.