Martin-Clark speaks up about controversial ethical dilemma

By Ricki Dewsbury

Nick Martin-Clark has spoken publicly for the first time about his part in one of the most controversial episodes in journalism ethics.

Nick was pilloried by colleagues and certain quarters of the National Union of Journalists for revealing that a former source was a brutal killer.

His testimony ultimately resulted in a 24-year murder sentence for the Ulster Loyalist terrorist Clifford McKeown. But Nick was shunned by his union and watched his career collapsed after he gave evidence against McKeown in 2003. He was also placed on a witness protection programme.

Duty as a citizen

Nick told third year journalism students he felt his duty as a citizen overrode any obligation to protect his source. “McKeown had killed an innocent man, a man who had actually been born in Scotland. His crime, to the Ulster Loyalists, was that he worked for a company run by a Roman Catholic. How could I remain silent and leave McKeown free to kill again?

Nick’s original story naming McKeon appeared in the Sunday Times in 1999. But it was his decision to give evidence against the Loyalist thug which caused controversy.

“I want to have myself heard and show that there are two sides to the argument about protecting sources,” he told his audience. “I want to give people the courage do what they think is right even if they get into trouble.”

Broadcast student Craig Laycock said: “He came across as really human. I thought it was a refreshing perspective compared with the normal side of things and the corporate line.”

Newspaper and digital student Michael Grady described Nick’s session as “insightful”.

Nick was the final guest speaker lined up by senior lecturer Delwyn Swingewood for third year ethics module.

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