NUJ welcomes victory for Vincent Kearney in state surveillance tribunal

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has welcomed the findings of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) into the case taken by union member Vincent Kearney and the BBC arising from the long and consistent campaign of unlawful surveillance by MI5 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). 

The Tribunal found that Kearney, who is now Northern Ireland editor for RTÉ News, had been subject to unlawful surveillance. The IPT has ordered PSNI and MI5 to pay £10,000 each in damages.

The judgement has been hailed by the NUJ as a damning indictment of the police and security services and a complete vindication of Vincent Kearney, the BBC and investigative journalism.

Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said:

This is a landmark judgement by the IPT, and is a clear and unambiguous vindication of our member Vincent Kearney and the BBC.

It follows on the successful case taken by our members Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, and represents a victory for journalists and investigative journalism. The outrageous treatment of Vincent and his family would not have been revealed without the action taken by Barry and Trevor.

The revelations at the IPT hearings have given a deeply worrying insight into the actions of the police and security forces against journalists. The criminalisation of journalists is an affront to democracy and a fundamental breach of trust.

It is important to acknowledge the courage and resilience of Vincent Kearney, a journalist of the highest integrity, and his family, who should never have been caught in the illegal network of surveillance. This has been a costly, protracted, and emotionally draining process. The BBC and their legal team have been extremely supportive while credit is also due to NUJ members who have supported Vincent.

Today’s judgment is not only a welcome vindication of Vincent, it also reinforces the need for a judge-led inquiry into the unlawful surveillance of journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders by police and security forces.

We have witnessed the impact of illegal surveillance on our members and it is time to call a halt. There is an opportunity for the new Northern Ireland Secretary and the Chief Constable to act to restore public trust. However, it is vital MI5 is subject to scrutiny in any review. For far too long, national security has been used as a shield by police and intelligence services – but the IPT findings have revealed an abuse of that cover that can no longer be tolerated.