The Law Society of Northern Ireland is concerned that the McCullough Review into covert police surveillance identified unauthorised surveillance directed at solicitors in Northern Ireland, including a failure on the part of the PSNI to respect the fundamental principle of Legal Professional Privilege.
The findings of the McCullough Review demonstrate that the current oversight arrangements for police surveillance activities in Northern Ireland are not fit for purpose and, in response, the Law Society is calling for the immediate appointment of a Commissioner for Covert Law Enforcement in Northern Ireland as recommended by the Patten Commission.
The Law Society has also written to the Chair of the Policing Board for Northern Ireland urging the Board to establish an Inquiry into the concerns raised by the McCullough Review.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland have extensive powers in order to protect the public, but it is of the utmost importance that these powers are exercised within the law. The ability of lawyers to represent their clients free from unlawful surveillance is of critical importance to the Rule of Law and must be protected at all costs.
Colin MitchellPresident, Law Society of Northern Ireland
