Investigatory Powers Tribunal has no power to award costs against PSNI over evidence failures | Computer Weekly

"Although the Investigatory Powers Tribunal acknowledged that two police forces unlawfully spied on journalists, it lacks the authority to impose costs for such actions."

"The tribunal's judges emphasized the need for legislative changes, suggesting that the Secretary of State should intervene to allow cost awards against police forces."

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruled that it cannot impose costs against UK police or intelligence agencies that unlawfully withhold evidence. This decision followed findings that police unlawfully targeted journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney after they exposed police collusion in a 1994 murder case. The tribunal criticized the police for delaying evidence disclosures and acknowledged the need for reform, urging the Home Secretary to consider legislative changes to empower the tribunal to sanction such misconduct.

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