Violence in N. Ireland which took life of journalist, claimed to be orchestrated to impress an MTV production fronted by Reggie Yates
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Two suspect devices have been found in Londonderry and a 39-year-old man has been arrested, amid concerns that recent violence in the area may have been aggravated by the presence of an MTV film crew, The Telegraph reports.
“It has since emerged that television presenter Reggie Yates was in the area filming a documentary for MTV around Brexit reigniting tensions in Northern Ireland and the impact that it is having on the country’s youth.”
“I honestly believe those involved bigged this up knowing cameras were there with horrifying consequences,” wrote local resident John McGowan on Twitter.
Dissident republicans in Derry orchestrated the riot that claimed the life of a journalist partly to impress an MTV film crew fronted by the broadcaster Reggie Yates, it has been claimed. Yates and his crew were filming a documentary in the Creggan area of Derry last Thursday when republicans started throwing petrol bombs and shooting at police.
“There is a strong belief that they were being stoked by dissidents for the benefit of the film crew,” the Sunday Times quoted one community worker as saying.
A bullet killed Lyra McKee, 29, a journalist and author who was standing with other civilians beside a police Land Rover.
One community organiser, who asked not to be named, claimed to the Guardian that members of the New IRA and its political wing Saoradh were playing to the cameras. “They staged the whole thing for him. It was all staged, all choreographed.” Yates, 35, a former Top of the Pops presenter, was filming for an eight-part series, Reggie Yates vs The World, for MTV UK. Described as an immersion into extreme and unusual situations with topical relevance for young people, it is due to be broadcast later this year.
The Northern Ireland Police Service confirmed to The Telegraphthat they asked anyone with any footage which could assist with the murder investigation to pass the videos on to them, and it is understood that MTV is co-operating.
MTV is cooperating with a police request to review all footage of the riot, according to the Sunday Times, which first reported the claim that dissidents ratcheted up tensions to create on-screen drama.
MTV said in a statement: “We can confirm that a production company was filming a documentary series for MTV in Northern Ireland and was present in the Creggan area where journalist Lyra McKee was tragically shot and killed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lyra’s family and friends and our thoughts are with the people of Derry during this tragic time.”
Police statements have several times called the violence “orchestrated”. But Det Supt Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation, said he did not think media presence affected events.
