£119m compensation fund for PSNI data breach payouts not yet finalised

The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland has indicated that a proposed agreement to ringfence £119 million to settle claims from police officers related to the 2023 personal data breach has not been finalised. Justice Minister Naomi Long had previously announced that the Stormont Executive would allocate this funding. However, the Department of Finance has not yet made a formal decision, prompting calls from Police Federation chair Liam Kelly for an apology if Long's claims prove to be inaccurate. He described the ambiguity as demoralising for officers. 

In response to ongoing discussions about the 2026/27 budget, Long stated that if the Treasury does not reconsider its refusal to assist with compensation costs, the funding will be set aside to enable the Chief Constable to negotiate settlements. There are currently six test cases before the High Court in Belfast, and Long assured that while the process may be lengthy, payments are expected in the next financial year. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher expressed disappointment at the lack of agreement on funding, stressing the need to secure resources for officers and staff.

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