PSNI chief sorry over failure to delete data unlawfully seized from journalists | Computer Weekly

"Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has apologised after investigations by an independent reviewer, Angus McCullough KC, revealed that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) retained copies of the data on its computer system more than six years after it should have been deleted under a court agreement. Boutcher commissioned McCullough to carry out an independent review - which is due to report this week - into allegations that the PSNI had placed journalists, lawyers and non-government organisations under unlawful surveillance."

"In a letter to Trevor Birney in August, Boutcher disclosed that McCullough found that data from the journalists' devices had been found on a PSNI computer system, in a discovery that revealed "organisational failures". "I want to apologise for the retention of data that should have been permanently deleted by the PSNI," Boutcher wrote. "I fully recognise the seriousness of this error and the potential impact it may cause," he added."

"Trevor Birney told Computer Weekly that Boutcher's disclosure that the PSNI continued to keep copies of data seized from the journalists on a computer system, despite an agreement to destroy the information, were deeply concerning. "It now seems that the PSNI walked out of the court, threw the agreement over their shoulder and forgot all about it, he said."

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher apologised after an independent review found the PSNI retained copies of journalists' data on its computer system longer than allowed. The review by Angus McCullough KC found the data remained more than six years after it should have been deleted under a court agreement. Boutcher commissioned the review into allegations of unlawful surveillance of journalists, lawyers and non-government organisations. He disclosed that data from journalists' devices had been located on PSNI systems, described the discovery as organisational failures, ordered immediate permanent deletion, and referred the matter to the ICO. The PSNI also apologised to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal for disclosure failures during legal proceedings.

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