The McCullough Review in 2025 confirmed instances of police monitoring journalists’ and solicitors’ phone data in Northern Ireland.
The UK Government has been urged to respond to UN concern over the surveillance of solicitors in Northern Ireland.
The McCullough Review last year identified 21 instances of unlawful access to journalists’ communications data, and a case of directed surveillance against a lawyer, including in a court building, without proper authorisation.
Solicitors Darragh Mackin and Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law said the case that the report references was their representation of Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton, who were convicted of the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll on March 9 2009 during an appeal.
At the time of the publication of the report last September, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher apologised to the two solicitors.
UN mandate holders – Margaret Satterthwaite and Ana Brian Nougreres – have written to the UK Government expressing concern that what happened may amount to a breach of international law protecting lawyers.
The UN has requested response from the UK Government around disclosing the legal and factual basis for the surveillance of the solicitors, confirmation on what data was obtained, how it was used, and whether surveillance is ongoing.
It has also inquired about steps taken to to implement recommendations from the McCullough Review, measures to prevent unlawful surveillance of lawyers in future and safeguards to ensure lawyers are free from harassment and interference.
Mr Mackin and Mr Corrigan welcomed the move as a “welcome step in supporting us as lawyers following the unlawful spying by the PSNI”.
UK Government response urged to UN concern over surveillance of solicitors
