A jailed RUC inspector lost a court attempt last night to stop the BBC screening a programme about his criminal activities. The Spotlight documentary went ahead as planned after a judge refused to grant an injunction to Derek Robinson (45), now serving a two-year sentence in Magilligan Prison, Co Derry.
Mr Justice Gillen said in the High Court in Belfast it was vital to preserve the right of the media to be the watchdog of society. "This is particularly so where a series of offences have been perpetrated by a police officer. Where such matters arise there must be access to fearless exposure by the media."
The injunction application related to tape-recordings of telephone conversations involving Robinson. They were made by detectives during Operation Cormorant, a year-long investigation into a second-hand car racket. It led to Robinson pleading guilty last February to 17 charges, including perverting justice and conspiracy to defraud.