29 JANUARY 2005, Page 19

Not quite alone

From Henry McDonald

Sir: Your esteemed media commentator Stephen Glover is absolutely correct in pointing out that the Guardian was almost alone among UK quality papers in levelling the blame for the Northern Bank robbery on the Provisional IRA (Media studies, 22 January). ‘Almost’, however, is important here, because I should remind your readers that the Guardian’s sister paper, the Observer, was among the first to indicate that the PIRA was responsible for the record heist, as well as highlighting the serious political fallout flowing from this. Just to set the record straight.

Henry McDonald Ireland editor, The Observer, London EC1