December 23, 2025 | Finance and Procurement , Finance
Request Number: FOI/15861
Category: Finance and Procurement - Finance
Subject: McCullough Review
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you. We further consider some the information you seek is exempt by virtue of Section 43 (2) of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why this exemption applies. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Question 1
Please provide full details of the costs associated with the McCullough Review to date.
- This should be broken down by time billed for each individual, travel and accommodation
- Details of all expenses should also be included
- The response should clearly state hourly rates charged by legal representatives involved in the review, and the totals for each
- If time was billed for anyone other than Mr Mccullough and his two publicly confirmed assistants, this should be highlighted, alone with a brief explanation of their role and associated costs
Answer 1a & 1b
| Travel Expenses | Other Expenses | |
|---|---|---|
| Counsel 1 | £4870.30 | £844.40 |
| Counsel 2 | £2,792.96 | |
| Counsel 3 | £6,467.70 | |
| Total | £14,130.97 | £844.40 |
Other expenses involved were Room Hire £290 and file management software £544
Answer 1c
As this request engages personal data of 3 barristers and in particularly commercial sensitivities in respect of their hourly rates we have provided the questions you have asked as totals rather than a break down, totals are as follows;
| Legal Costs Total | |
|---|---|
| 3 Counsel Instructed | £400,158.58 |
Partial exemption
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
- states that fact,
- specifies the exemption in question and
- states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
The exemption/s, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 43 (2) – Commercial Interests
Information would or would be likely to prejudice commercial interests of any person, including the public authority holding it.
Section 43 is a qualified class based exemption and a public interest test is required.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release
Releasing this information would demonstrate openness and transparency around how public money is spent on professional services.
Factors Favouring Retention
Releasing the hourly rate for the 3 individuals could harm their competitive position by exposing their pricing strategies to competitors and may harm their position in legal service markets.
Decision
Whilst there is public interest on how public funds are spent, disclosing hourly rates of the individuals could reveal the individuals pricing strategy which could prejudice their competitive position. Disclosure could compromise their trust in the PSNI. The public interest test favours withholding their hourly rates.
Answer 1d
Only costs billed are for Mr McCullough and his two publicly confirmed assistants.