MoD ban on ITN over troop access

The MoD said it was not seeking to stop reports on Afghanistan or Iraq

News organisation ITN has been banned from "embedding" reporters with British troops in a row over its coverage of wounded troops arriving back in the UK.

The MoD has sent a letter to ITN after a report which it says was inaccurate and showed identifiable personnel.

The measure would be lifted if a "satisfactory" explanation was received, MoD sources said.

ITV News editor-in-chief David Mannion said the network was "seeking clarification as to any restrictions".

Embedded reporters are journalists who cover a conflict while attached to a military unit.

In its letter, the MoD complains of "invasion of privacy" over one injured soldier flown to the UK from Afghanistan and said the issue could be taken to an industry watchdog.

But it stressed it was not seeking to stop ITN reporting on Iraq or Afghanistan and said it would retain access to the MoD press office.

"You should be under no illusions about the level of anger that exists as a result of items you carried on your programmes," the letter read.

"However, until we have satisfactory answers ... the MoD feels unable to guarantee that our people will be treated fairly, honestly and their privacy respected."

The MoD was responding to reports by ITN for ITV News about the medical treatment of wounded personnel treated at an NHS hospital.