Roy Greenslade, the IRA and the Guardian

Early day motion 1610, tabled 9 March 2021 by Peter Bottomley (Conservative). Signed by 3 members.

That this House notes the explanation by Guardian columnist Roy Greenslade of the Provisional IRA’s armed campaign, wishes he had recognised the realities of reform, increasing Anglo-Irish co-operation, and the persistent efforts of Irish and British campaigners to challenge terrorism; welcomes the Guardian's reflection on allowing a senior journalist to use the columnist position on media ethics to advance such views while writing an anonymous column for the Sinn Fein paper, An Phoblacht/Republican News; notes that Katharine Viner has apologised to Mairia Cahill, victim of an IRA member, for an article by Greenslade; invites the Guardian to say sorry to others found to have suffered poor treatment by Greenslade; and to publish a comprehensive review of letting down readers in breach of the paper’s guidelines that it is necessary for journalists to declare interests in writing about something with which they have a significant connection including all active outside interests which, should they remain undeclared and become known, would cause a fair-minded reader to question the value of their contribution; and suggests that the Guardian’s reputation would be enhanced by such a root and branch review.

Signatures by party: Conservative 2, DUP 1.