PSNI Chief Constable criticises Treasury over data breach compensation money

The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Jon Boutcher, has criticised the Treasury for refusing a request to help cover the estimated £119 million compensation cost for officers affected by a major personal data breach that occurred two years ago. The Treasury declined the request for a reserve claim of a fund intended for unforeseen and unavoidable spending, arguing that the expense did not meet the criteria.

Mr Boutcher expressed "deep concern and disappointment" in a letter to the Treasury's permanent secretary, stating the decision has had a profound effect on morale. He argued the incident was not only a "breach of privacy, but also an increased risk to their safety and that of their families." The Chief Constable maintained that "no reasonable contingency planning" could have predicted the exposure of the entire workforce's data.

Meanwhile, Stormont ministers, including Justice Minister Naomi Long, echoed the criticism, calling the Treasury's refusal "reckless" as the cost is "completely unaffordable" for the Northern Ireland Executive. In response, a UK Government spokesperson countered that operational policing is a matter for the Executive and that they are responsible for compensating affected officers, citing a £19.3 billion annual financial settlement delivered by the Chancellor. Minister Long confirmed the Executive would continue to press the issue, warning that if the money is not provided, other Executive services will have to be cut to fund the necessary compensation.

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