SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has expressed concern for the freedom of journalism in Northern Ireland after the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) judgement on Tuesday.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“The work of Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey and their legal teams has exposed a culture within the PSNI that demonstrated a lack of respect for the freedom and protection of journalism - a hallmark of any democracy.

“The findings today demonstrate the need for a robust investigation into the custom and practice adopted by the PSNI of applying surveillance applications on journalists in Northern Ireland. It is reported that since 2011 the PSNI may have issued data communications harvesting applications over 320 times against journalists, 500 times against legal representatives.

“The SDLP will give the McCullagh investigation space to conduct its investigation into the data surveillance actions of the PSNI, however I am also currently working to secure an NI Affairs Committee Inquiry into the protection and freedom of journalism in Northern Ireland.

“At the heart of this story remains the Loughinisland families - victims and survivors who were repeatedly denied truth and justice. The SDLP maintains that no state or non-state actor has a right to suppress truth and justice and any future mechanism for dealing with the past must command the confidence of victims and survivors, be independent and meet ECHR compliance.”