Internal probe finds no evidence of PSNI breach after ‘leak of data’ to loyalists

AN internal police investigation has found no evidence of a PSNI data or security breach despite reports that details of hundreds of individuals were mistakenly given to suspected loyalist paramilitaries.

In July it was claimed that the information, reportedly relating to a number of locally-based businesses, was contained on a pen drive that appeared to have been accidentally left in the back of a device returned to loyalists under investigation by police.

It was reported that the device had “previously been removed from a person or persons who were under investigation by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF)”.

The report said: “The pen drive, containing numerous files — some encrypted, but others easily accessible — included details of internet traffic of members of the public along with emails, server addresses and passwords.”

It was also reported that some of those said to be affected by the alleged data breach were preparing to take court action against the PSNI.

Human rights lawyer Niall Murphy of KRW Law said he would be preparing pre-action

Lawyer: Niall Murphy

for a number of clients.

However, the PSNI has said an internal investigation has found “no evidence” of a breach.

The PSNI said a probe was established under the direction of Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray to explore the facts.

It added: “Following an internal investigation by a team independent of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, no evidence of a PSNI data or security breach has been found.

“PSNI can confirm that it has received a portion of the material alleged to have been on the memory stick from the legal representative of a party said to have been affected by the alleged ‘data breach’.

“PSNI has seen no evidence to date that this material was ever in the possession of the PCTF or any other PSNI team. The limited material provided to PSNI was not PSNI data and to date does not appear to constitute ‘personal data’ of any individual.”

It added it “is, however, continuing to liaise with and assist the Office of the Information Commissioner, which is also investigating this matter”.

It also said the Police Ombudsman had been “kept informed throughout”.

The Police Ombudsman said it had so far “found no information to suggest that there has been a breach by police”.

It added: “We have conducted preliminary enquiries and at this stage have found no information to suggest that there has been a breach by police.

“We are, however, continuing to progress our enquiries with the complainant.”

The Information Commissioner’s Office said: “We have nothing new to report at this stage, it is still an extremely early stage in the process and our enquiries into this alleged incident remain ongoing.”

The Belfast Telegraph tried to contact Mr Murphy at KRW Law, but received no response.