Relative difficulties

Adam Smyth, newly confirmed as BBC Director Northern Ireland, had to face an entertaining task whilst doing the job on an interim basis - arguing with his dad. 

Adam fronted the 2022 decision not to bring back live tv coverage of the various July 12th parades, to be replaced by a 'highlights' round-up. His father Dr Clifford Smyth had provided live commentary for the events for ten years up to 2011, and condemned the move via the columns of the Belfast Telegraph. “Whoever is behind this hasn’t thought the decision through very well. You see the whole history of Ulster in the Twelfth parade — it is depicted on the iconic banners. It’s essential that those of a different political outlook are exposed to that story.”

“Is it the British Broadcasting Corporation or the Nationalist Broadcasting Corporation ? It seems the BBC has abandoned balance.”

Dr Smyth turned to history after a political career with the DUP and the UUP. 

Meanwhile, Adam's mum Anne, 72, is standing as a candidate for the Traditional Unionist Voice party for Belfast's East Titanic ward, in next month's council elections. She says "I admire the party’s strong moral stance on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. I’m very much in agreement with the party’s principled stance on opposing an Irish Sea border and on sharing power with Sinn Fein”