HL Deb 28 March 1988 vol 495 c587WA
Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How Independent Television News on 14th March, 1988 obtained film of an illegal firing salute by uniformed members of the Provisional IRA over the photographs of the three Provisional IRA terrorists killed in Gilbraltar; and whether they will instigate an inquiry to discover whether ITN informed the security forces and make a statement on the result.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

I understand from the Independent Broadcasting Authority that Independent Television News had been informed that there was to be a demonstration that day and a film crew went to the location given in order to cover it. They were flagged down by men in civilian clothes who directed them to another location. Masked men then drew up, fired the volley and drove off. The crew returned immediately to their base in Belfast and reported the incident to the police in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1987.