Amid major criticism of the Maze Prison escape documentary, a BBC spokesman said the programme “sought to describe what happened in a fair and impartial manner” and did recognise “far-reaching implications of this event”.

A spokesman told the News Letter: “The aim of this documentary was to provide a detailed account of the Maze escape.

“It was based on contributions from some of those who were involved and included a prison officer’s perspective.”

He added that the documentary was “developed on the basis of extensive research”.

But the BBC refused to disclose how much licence payers’ money was spent on the hour-long documentary

It confirmed that Hotshot Films, an independent Belfast-based production company, had made the programme for the corporation.

But asked about the cost, a spokesman said: “You would need to submit a freedom of information request for that and it would take about a month.”

The documentary consisted largely of interviews with IRA escapees, Gerry Kelly, Bobby Storey and Brendan McFarlane, who spoke about the planning and implementation of the escape in September 1983.

Some 38 prisoners took over an entire H-block in what was regarded as one of the most secure prisons in Europe.

The programme also interviewed prison officer Campbell Courtney, who was shot in the leg as he pursued an escaped prison officer.

He had no comment to make on the programme last night.

The programme’s producer Michael Beattie agreed that the whole subject remained a controversial subject even after 25 years – but said it was an important historical story that deserved to be told.