MI5 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been ordered to pay £20,000 in damages to journalist Vincent Kearney after illegally obtaining his phone records, marking what is believed to be the first time MI5 has been directed to compensate a journalist.
The ruling by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London stemmed from secret operations aimed at discovering Kearney's confidential sources while he worked as a BBC correspondent covering policing and security issues in Belfast. Between 2006 and 2014, Kearney, who has since moved to RTÉ as its northern editor, was the subject of multiple operations. Four of these were conducted by the PSNI, which also compiled a "profile" on him, including details like car registrations and information about his wife and mother-in-law, which he suspects was for surveillance.
In a statement, Kearney expressed his satisfaction with the judgment, stating, "I am delighted that the court has penalised those responsible for breaking the law." He emphasized the significance of the damages award, saying, "The fact it decided to award damages reflects the seriousness of the case. It is important that agencies charged with upholding the law know that they are not above the law and will be held to account."
The BBC, which supported Kearney in bringing the case, also welcomed the findings. "Today's findings are welcome, necessary and significant," a BBC spokesperson said. "We hope that their effect will be to protect journalists and their freedom to report and investigate stories into the future."