Watchdog opens probe into leaking of report

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has begun an inquiry into how documents from its investigations into the Fr Kevin Reynolds defamation scandal were leaked.

The media watchdog said it was dismayed that confidential briefing papers which severely criticised standards of journalism at RTÉ were released to the press.

RTÉ accused members of the watchdog of undermining its own regulations after a series of findings were passed on to The Irish Times before the broadcaster had a chance to answer them.