Sinn Féin MPs John Finucane and Chris Hazzard joined Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey in London on Tuesday as the Investigatory Powers Tribunal delivered its verdict on unlawful journalist surveillance.

Speaking from London, John Finucane MP said:

“Today’s ruling by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal is resoundingly and rightly in favour of the powerful work of journalists, including the exceptional Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey.

“As these investigative journalists carried out their job, including assisting victims and families, police forces and state bodies from across these islands sought to criminalise them for doing so.

“This is a momentous day vindicating the work and relentless determination of these two remarkable journalists.”

Chris Hazzard MP said:

“As outlined today, Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey were illegally targeted by police as they exposed shocking levels of state collusion.

“It is not lost on the people of South Down that the time, effort and resources deployed by the British state to suppress journalists stands in stark contrast to the abysmal failure to investigate the murder of six men watching a football match in Loughinisland in 1994.

“I want to commend Trevor and Barry for taking and winning this courageous case. Truth and justice must always prevail.”