Northern Ireland

Man released after arrest over PSNI data breach

Data relating to all 9,483 PSNI officers and staff was mistakenly included in a spreadsheet published online last August.

The data included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, where they are based and the unit in which they work
The data included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, where they are based and the unit in which they work (Niall Carson/PA)
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A 54-year-old man who was arrested by detectives investigating criminality linked to the PSNI data breach has been released.

Data relating to all 9,483 PSNI officers and staff was mistakenly included in a spreadsheet published online last August in response to a Freedom of Information request.

The list included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, where they are based and the unit in which they work.

Police later said the information had got into the hands of dissident republicans.

The arrested man was detained following a search in Derry on July 25.

He was arrested under the Terrorism Act and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast for questioning.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said the data breach was caused by a systems failure
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said the data breach was caused by a systems failure (Liam McBurney/PA)

On Tuesday, the PSNI said he has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

A spokesman said: “The investigation continues.”

Following the breach, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has proposed fining the PSNI £750,000 after describing the data disclosure as a “potentially life-threatening incident” which caused “untold anxiety and distress”.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has previously made clear that no disciplinary action is being taken against anyone within the police who was involved in the data breach.

He has said the error was caused by a systems failure.