Colin Mitchell

The PSNI last month published the final report of an independent review conducted by Angus McCullough KC following concerns about PSNI surveillance of journalists and lawyers.

While the report found that there was no evidence of “systemic and widespread” surveillance, it uncovered instances of unlawful conduct by the police.

In a statement this week, the Law Society said the report had highlighted instances of unauthorised surveillance directed at solicitors in Northern Ireland, including a failure on the part of the PSNI to respect legal professional privilege.

The solicitors’ body is now calling for the immediate appointment of a commissioner for covert law enforcement in Northern Ireland, as recommended by the Patten Commission in 1999.

It has also written to the chair of the Policing Board, urging it to establish an inquiry into the concerns raised by the McCullough review.

Law Society president Colin Mitchell said: “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.”