SINN FÉIN HAS confirmed that it asked the broadcaster CNN to refer to its president Gerry Adams by his ‘proper title’ after it referred to him as a “former IRA paramilitary commander” in a recent report.

The request was made of the CNN correspondent, Nic Robertson, who was reporting on the recent controversy over the flying of the Union flag at Belfast City Hall when he referred to Adams as a former member of the IRA.

Adams has consistently denied that he was in the IRA during the Troubles.

In his report, available on the CNN website, Robertson described the Louth TD as “former IRA paramilitary commander Gerry Adams, now the province’s most powerful, Catholic politician”.

A spokesperson for Sinn Féin said that the report was brought to the party’s attention and CNN was asked to refer to Adams by his ‘proper title’ in future reports.

He said: “We just asked him to use his proper title in future. It was brought to our attention and we rang the person here on the ground and asked in future to refer to him by his proper title – Sinn Féin president and TD for Louth.”

“They were happy enough to do that.”

CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

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