Jon Burrows MLA said, “Angus McCullough KC has completed his independent and rigorous review into PSNI conduct following concerns about surveillance of journalists and other groups.

“The Ulster Unionist Party has always been clear: a free press is a cornerstone of our democracy. Any interference with press freedoms must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Mr McCullough rightly acknowledged that journalists, like anyone else, can sometimes become involved in criminal activity, citing the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking.

“His review concluded that while there are lessons for the PSNI to learn, there was no systemic unlawful surveillance of journalists. He made 16 recommendations to strengthen performance, and the priority now must be ensuring, through the Policing Board, that these are swiftly implemented.

“Before the review was completed, the Justice Minister stated that she would decide whether to call a public inquiry once she had seen its conclusions. Now that the review has found no evidence of systemic unlawful surveillance, it is disappointing that her party colleagues are nevertheless demanding an inquiry. This raises the obvious question: what then was the purpose of commissioning the McCullough Review?

“The Justice Minister must now make her position clear:

• Does she support her MLAs’ calls for a public inquiry?
• Will she herself call for one, or ask the Secretary of State to do so?
• Most importantly, does she, the Justice Minister, and does the leader of the Alliance Party accept the conclusions of the McCullough Review?

“These are not unreasonable questions. The press, our police service and the wider public deserve clarity and leadership. The Ulster Unionist Party will focus on ensuring lessons are learned and get on with the work people want us to do.”