Hi °C | Lo °C A senior BBC Northern Ireland journalist has stood down from an RAF reserve unit to "avoid any perception of conflict of interest".
Michael Cairns, a BBC editor in Belfast, had been a commanding officer in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's Public Relations Squadron since 2004.
His role in the military organisation, which provides media-handling support to the RAF, was recently highlighted in the London magazine Private Eye.
It was subsequently criticised by Sinn Fein.
A BBC Northern Ireland spokesperson told the Belfast Telegraph earlier this month it was "confident" that Mr Cairns' duties "do not give rise to any issues of conflict of interest".
It's understood his decision to stand down came after discussions with BBC figures in London. Lst night, a BBC spokesperson said: "Like other employers, the BBC is legally obliged to allow staff to serve in the Reserve Forces.
"In his day-to-day duties, Michael Cairns has no responsibility for the coverage of defence or foreign affairs.
"We do not believe he has allowed his service in the Auxiliary Air Force to influence his editorial judgements.
"But following detailed discussions about his current role in that organisation Michael has decided to stand down from the Reserve to avoid any perception of conflict of interest."
Friends of Mr Cairns have stressed that the Royal Auxiliary Air Force - the RAF's equivalent of the Territorial Army - has had no role in the Northern Ireland security situation.
