Northern Ireland journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney are claiming costs against the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) due to significant delays in disclosing crucial evidence linked to surveillance operations attempting to identify their confidential sources. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) is considering whether it has the authority to award costs in cases involving alleged government misconduct. This case follows a December ruling declaring that the PSNI unlawfully surveilled the journalists when investigating their documentary on police collusion in a 1994 murder case. Lord Justice Singh stated that a definitive judgement will emerge from this tribunal regarding such cases.
The PSNI misled the tribunal by delaying disclosure of evidence, resulting in two abandoned court hearings, prompting the journalists to seek costs against the police.
This ruling could set a precedent in determining whether tribunals can award costs against government bodies accused of unreasonable behavior, according to Lord Justice Singh.
Collection
[
|
...
]