Two investigative journalists in Northern Ireland have said they feel like “pawns in a state attack on press freedom” as police further extend their bail over allegations they stole a confidential document.

Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey reported for police questioning on Friday following their arrest in August in connection with their work on the award-winning documentary film No Stone Unturned, released last year.

The pair were hoping to have the threat of prosecution against them lifted after the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman said no complaint had been made by his office of a theft of confidential documentation.