Committee probe into PSNI data leaks
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee investigates recent leaks of personal data that have exposed thousands of Northern Ireland’s police and intelligence officers and civilian staff to potential reprisals.
Meeting details
The most significant breach of data, which was accidentally attached as a spreadsheet in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, revealed the names, roles and workplaces of around 10,000 officers and staff.
Concerns for the safety of police officers in NI were already heightened following the attack on Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot and seriously injured after coaching a children’s football session in March.
MPs on the Committee question the PSNI’s Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd on the process to protect such information and why it failed in the run up to the leak. They also hear from Police representatives on the impact of the breach on morale in the service and the concerns of and consequences for frontline officers and backroom staff.