MI5 to pay compensation for surveillance on journalists’ phones

MI5 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been ordered to pay £20,000 in damages to a journalist after they illegally obtained his phone records.

Former BBC journalist Vincent Kearney appeared before the Investigative Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London.

It is believed to be the first time MI5 has been ordered to pay compensation to a journalist.

Kearney was the subject of targeted covert operations. Knowing the mystery While working for the BBC in Belfast, the sources.

In a statement accepting the verdict, Kearney said: “I am very pleased that the court has punished those who broke the law.

“The award of damages reflects the seriousness of the case.

“It is important to know that law enforcement agencies are not above the law and are held accountable by the law.”

The BBC, which covered the issue with Kearney, said: “Today’s findings are welcome, important and important.

We hope the outcome will protect journalists and their freedom to report and investigate stories in the future.

Kearney worked for BBC Northern Ireland for 18 years until joining RTÉ in 2019, where he is now Northern Editor.

In the year During his time as a BBC reporter between 2006 and 2014, he had several assignments targeting police and security issues.

Four of these were run by the PSNI, which created a “profile” on him, which included car registrations and the names of his wife and father-in-law.

He suspected it was for surveillance purposes.