Lawsuits are likely to be issued against French and Spanish authorities over terrorist allegations made against innocent firemen.

The firemen were designated as ETA terrorists after they were filmed by a security camera in a French supermarket.

The images of the men, who were on holiday in France, were widely shown on television, where they were described in newscasts as being ETA members with an involvement in the killing of a French policeman last week.

After the telecasts, warrants were issued for their arrest and family members contacted the men, who then spoke to authorities to explain their situation.

The firefighters have since said they were incensed that the police had treated them as members of ETA, rather than suspects in a crime.

Spanish and French authorities have both admitted to the mistake.

A court later officially cleared the firefighters of any involvement in last week’s police killing, in which members of the ETA armed separatist group were thought to be involved.