Northern Ireland: Police Accused of Secretly Monitoring Journalists’ Phones
Women Press Freedom denounces clandestine monitoring of journalists’ phones, a severe violation of press freedom and legal confidentiality
Location: Northern Ireland, Belfast
Date: June 11, 2024
Women Press Freedom is appalled by reports of covert surveillance on journalists' and lawyers' phones by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). We stand in solidarity with the impacted journalists and condemn this infringement on privacy and media freedom. This flagrant violation of press freedom and legal confidentiality is unacceptable. The police must prioritize protecting journalists and uphold their freedom to fulfill their professional responsibilities without fear of surveillance. We urge immediate action to prevent any further hindrances to journalistic work. We call for a public inquiry that is essential for transparency and accountability in addressing this troubling issue.
A former assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has alleged the existence of a covert unit within the PSNI that monitored the phones of journalists and lawyers. Alan McQuillan, who departed the PSNI in 2023, claimed that this unit utilized a dedicated laptop to access communication data from numerous legal professionals and journalists.
Speaking on the BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show, McQuillan disclosed that the PSNI unit established a separate laptop, distinct from the main PSNI computer systems, to evade scrutiny from independent overseers. Although the PSNI has refuted the accuracy of McQuillan’s assertions, he has called for a public inquiry into the operation, which he contends was employed to identify the contacts of lawyers and journalists of interest to the PSNI.
According to McQuillan, the monitoring unit operated from 2011 or 2012 to 2017 and transitioned from surveilling police-issued phones to tracking the phone records of journalists and lawyers. He compared the operation to a fishing expedition, likening it to an "industrial trawler" that collected phone data to identify connections with legal professionals and journalists.
Deputy Chief Constable Chris Todd of the PSNI disputed McQuillan’s claims, stating that the PSNI utilized a secure system for its anti-corruption unit that was subject to standard scrutiny procedures. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has initiated a review of police surveillance practices involving journalists, lawyers, and civil society groups, following allegations made in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal regarding unlawful surveillance on journalists Trevor Birney, Barry McCaffrey, and former BBC journalist Vincent Kearney.
The PSNI recently acknowledged engaging in a "lawful business monitoring" process to cross-reference calls made from police phones with journalists' phone numbers. The PSNI revealed that it had submitted over 800 applications for communications data concerning journalists and lawyers since 2011, including authorizing Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) for intelligence gathering on journalists and lawyers.
Women Press Freedom extends its unwavering support to the affected journalists and strongly denounce this intrusion into privacy and media freedom. Such blatant disregard for press freedom and legal confidentiality is intolerable. It is imperative that law enforcement prioritize the safeguarding of journalists and uphold their right to carry out their professional duties without the specter of surveillance looming over them. Urgent measures must be taken to prevent any further disruptions to journalistic endeavors. We urge for a transparent public inquiry to ensure accountability and address this troubling violation effectively.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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