Commenting on the Judgment of Investigatory Powers Tribunal, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Jon Boutcher said: “I accept the Investigatory Powers Tribunal’s judgment that due consideration was not given to whether there was an overriding public interest in interfering with journalistic sources before authorising surveillance, which importantly, although it was not directed toward the journalists Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney, it did impact them in 2018. This was one of a number of difficult decisions on a complex and fast moving day for policing in Northern Ireland involving balancing competing interests at pace.
“Separately the Tribunal found that although officers complied with UK law and procedure at the time, a 2013 authorisation for communications data was a breach of our human rights obligations. I am pleased that the Tribunal found officers acted in good faith.
“Significant changes have already been made since these issues occurred, with the role of the Investigatory Powers Commissioners’ in authorising communications data requests and the Judicial Commissioners in cases involving those who handle confidential information.
“This is a detailed judgment and I will take time to consider and reflect on it and along with the findings of the McCullough Review in due course, to consider what further steps we can take.
“I am committed to ensuring that the Police Service of Northern Ireland use the powers available to us in a way that is lawful, proportionate and accountable.”