Archive · 24 Sep 2025
NI Police Reviewed for Unlawful Surveillance of Journalists
Imagine the police looking at all your phone calls to see if you're talking to your friends.
That's kind of what happened in Northern Ireland.
Police there checked journalists' phone numbers to find out if they were getting information from police officers without permission.
A lawyer and journalist were also watched without the right permission.
A review found some bad behavior and recommended changes so this won't happen again.
The police chief said they will make things better.
NI police checked journalists' phone numbers for leaks.
Review found 'significant concerns' with untargeted checks.
Investigation covered the period between 2011-2024.
21 instances of unlawful covert attempts were identified.
Review made 16 recommendations for improvements.
- Who
- Police in Northern Ireland (PSNI)
- What
- Used journalists’ phone numbers to check for leaks and conducted unlawful surveillance.
- When
- Review covers 2011-2024, surveillance ended in May 2024.
- Where
- Northern Ireland
- Why
- To identify unauthorized contact between PSNI personnel and journalists.
- Lead Investigator
- Angus McCullough
- Period of Review
- 2011-2024
- Findings
- 21 instances of unlawful covert attempts
- Unlawful Surveillance Targets
- Journalist and Lawyer
- Practice Discontinued
- March 2023, formally ended May 2024
- Recommendations
- 16