MI5 and PSNI Ordered to Pay Journalist | Belfast News

MI5 and the PSNI have been slapped with £10,000 each in damages after a tribunal ruled their years-long spying on journalist Vincent Kearney was unlawful and disproportionate — a first for MI5. The agencies illegally accessed his phone data to uncover confidential sources while he covered sensitive stories for RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland. Kearney hailed the ruling as a win for journalism, stressing it affirms the vital role of source protection. The tribunal found both agencies equally at fault, noting MI5 admitted violations of his human rights, including privacy and source confidentiality — even during a murder investigation. This case wasn’t just about money; it was about exposing systemic breaches that undermine journalism’s core trust. 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/d09b117da575a21b