15 September 2025

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has called for urgent scrutiny following today’s ruling at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

It confirmed that MI5 breached the Article 8 and Article 10 rights of UK citizens under the European Convention on Human Rights when it accessed communications data belonging to journalist Vincent Kearney.

In response, Ms Hanna has urged the Northern Ireland Policing Board to initiate an inquiry, a proposal that will be formally brought forward by SDLP board member Colin McGrath MLA.

Claire Hanna MP said:

“Once again we have learned that security agencies, whose role should be the protection of our democracy, have overstepped the mark. The evidence emerging from Northern Ireland shows that these same agencies are failing to meet the Nolan Principles in their conduct towards the public.

“The Policing Board must now exercise its powers to conduct a forensic review of surveillance practices targeting local journalism and to examine any political interference by security actors, a clear abuse of power that cannot be justified.

“Time and again MI5 has demonstrated a culture of operating beyond accountability in Northern Ireland, from spying on journalists to delays in providing files to Operation Kenova. This feeds a disturbing perception that citizens here are treated as political problems to be managed, rather than as people entitled to the full protections of democracy, from fundamental rights to press freedom.”

Claire Hanna MP has also confirmed she will be writing to MI5 to demand accountability at the next session of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the issue of surveillance of journalists.