Journalist Paid After Police Spying | Europe News

A former BBC journalist, Vincent Kearney, is set to receive £20,000 from Northern Ireland police and MI5 after they unlawfully accessed his phone records—a breach the tribunal called a “disproportionate mess-up” with his privacy and journalistic sources. The case emerged from a broader surveillance probe targeting other journalists, prompting Kearney to sue. Both Kearney and the BBC welcomed the ruling, while Police Chief Jon Boutcher apologized and acknowledged systemic reforms since the incident. Though an earlier review found limited, non-systematic spying, this payout underscores the critical need to protect journalists’ sources and communications. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5a012193ad1d4c32