The BelTel

Social media became alight this week after French president Emmanuel Macron was caught on camera seemingly being slapped by his wife Brigitte. An awkward smile and wave when he realised the slap had been noticed just fuelled the rumours. The couple, who met when Brigitte Macron was then 15-year-old Emmanuel’s drama teacher, have long fascinated the public. The First Lady has also been subject to one of the most bizarre conspiracy theories out there. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Paris-based Journalist Catherine Field.

A jury in Dublin has awarded Gerry Adams €100,000 in damages. The former Sinn Féin leader won his High Court defamation action against the BBC on Friday morning. It followed a five-week defamation trial. The jury agreed with Mr Adams that a BBC Spotlight programme, defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson – he has always denied any involvement. Mark Tighe reports.

UVF commander Winston ‘Winkie’ Irvine has been jailed after being caught with guns. He was sentenced to 30 months with half served on license after being caught with weapons and ammunition in the boot of his car. The judge said Irvine’s work as a ‘peacemaker’ meant that the minimum five-year tariff was inappropriate after glowing references from high-profile government and security officials were heard in court. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. 

The latest Belfast Telegraph Lucid Talk polling shows sharp divisions on some touchstone societal issues. Among the issues surveyed in the latest poll were whether rap band Kneecap should be banned from performing at Belfast Vital, assisted dying and the Supreme Court’s ruling on gender and defining what a woman is. In terms of party political support, the poll reveals the DUP are still in a rut and that power in Stormont is taking the shine off Sinn Féin.  Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s political editor Suzanne Breen. If you enjoy The BelTel, please leave us a review.

Kincora was a home for vulnerable boys in east Belfast – but controlled by paedophiles. It was a place where dozens of boys and teenagers were abused. It was run by William McGrath, a leading loyalist. McGrath has long been believed to have been an MI5 agent – and the agency has long been accused of endeavouring to cover up what happened. But perhaps the most shocking allegation to come out of the home – some of the victims believe that they were abused by Lord Mountbatten - a mentor to King Charles.   Chris Moore’s new book is entitled Britain’s Shame – Mountbatten, MI5, the Belfast Boys’ Home Sex Abuse Scandal and the British Cover-Up.  He joined Ciarán Dunbar in the studio.

A jury in a Dublin court has heard a third week of evidence in the Gerry Adams defamation trial. The former Sinn Féin leader is suing the BBC over a claim made in a Spotlight program – that he gave the go ahead for Dennis Donaldson to be murdered. Gerry Adams vehemently denies any involvement in the killing.  Mark Tighe joined Ciarán Dunbar. 

Support for the IRA in Derry grew in the wake of the civil rights campaign – and the authorities response to it and soared in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday. But atrocities such as Claudy Bombing and the murder of Patsy Gillespie, saw that support fall. The history of the IRA in the city was dominated by Martin McGuinness, later a key advocate of the peace process. Jon Trigg is a former British soldier, his new book is ‘Death in Derry: Martin McGuinness and the Derry IRA’s War Against the British’. He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar

When west Belfast rapper Mo Chara, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, of Kneecap allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag on stage in London, he didn’t just spark controversy – he triggered a UK terrorism investigation and has now been charged. The group says it’s political policing: the UK authorities says it’s national security. Dave Hanratty speaks to Enda Brady.

One of the PSNI’s first Catholic recruits, told the Belfast Telegraph he had faced sectarianism, including references to “Fenian b******s”. Despite Chief Constable Jon Boutcher saying the allegations will not be investigated by a court or by the PSNI. ‘Sean’s’ solicitor says he’s standing by everything he’s alleged but has dropped threatened legal action.  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride who broke the story, and former senior PSNI Officer Jon Burrows, who strongly disputes the claims.