I wrote in the book very specifically what I wanted to write about, period, and left it at.

I never desired to go into war zones. I never had any thought about it. It sort of just happened as part of the job.

On the Northern Ireland question, for instance, the British and Irish governments prohibit media contact with members of the IRA, but we have always gone ahead, believing in the right to information.

The better the information it has, the better democracy works. Silence and secrecy are never good for it.

I also read modern novels - I have just had to read 60 as I am one of the judges for the Orange Fiction Prize.

I don't want to be involved in endless media gossip.

Now children as young as nine carry AK47s which can kill 30 people in seconds.