0h 16min, sep 24, 2025 y - Police used Journalists' Phones to Detect Leaks

Description:

Concerns have been raised over how the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) used journalists' phone numbers to check for any leaks of information by its officers or staff.

A 200-page report also revealed there were 21 unlawful uses of covert powers to attempt to uncover reporters' sources – double the figure previously disclosed.

Its author, lawyer Angus McCullough KC, said he found that the PSNI's surveillance of journalists and lawyers is not "widespread or systemic".

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the report "rightfully highlights that we have to improve our processes, and we will".

Mr Boutcher said that "blanket searching of journalists" stopped in 2023, and "[would] not happen again".

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