Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has said that the latest PSNI data breach is yet another calamity after another with the Justice Department, and a Minister who is never on hand to take responsibility.

Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“It's one calamity after another with the Justice Department, and the Minister is never on hand to take responsibility. The Minister’s cries of 'that's an operational matter' or 'they are independent' make you wonder why on earth do we have a Justice Minister and Department of Justice.

“The latest data breach by the courts, of serving PSNI officers, puts them at risk. The slippery answer from the department that this was a legal representative mistake hides the fact that they could have stopped such mistakes from happening.

“In simple terms, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the courts ensures that those who may be under threat, if their names are released, are given anonymity. Yet in our justice system, it seems process overruled common sense; independence stifles forward thinking, and operational matters are played like a get out of jail card. 

“If the Department of Justice had a report card for the last 12 months, it would be sitting on a resounding 'F'."