Channel 4's head of news and current affairs, Mr David Lloyd, told the High Court in London yesterday he could not think of a person less likely to mount a hoax than television producer Mr Sean McPhilemy.
Mr McPhilemy (52) was accused of carrying out a hoax by the Sunday Times in an article in May 1993 referring to his Channel 4 documentary in October 1991 which alleged conspiracy among prominent loyalists to murder Catholics and republicans.
The television producer is suing the newspaper for libel. The Sunday Times is standing by its claim and pleading justification.