Advocate for victims and survivors Brendan McAllister urged to resign over data breach

The Interim Advocate for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse has been urged to resign after the identities of 150 survivors of abuse were exposed in a data breach.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2020, 11:37 BST
Brendan McAllister has faced a call to quitBrendan McAllister has faced a call to quit
Brendan McAllister has faced a call to quit

A newsletter was circulated in an email by the HIA Interim Advocate’s Office on Friday which revealed the names of recipients in error.

The Interim Advocate Brendan McAllister, whose office has been accused of breaching GDPR and privacy rights, has faced calls for resign.

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Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said victims had been left devastated and claimed their anonymity had been breached by “lack of due diligence and clear data protection protocols”.

“It is clear that Brendan McAllister should accept responsibility for this data breach and do the right thing and stand down,” said Mr Beattie. “If he does not, then the Executive Office must take action to remove him from post and immediately begin the process to appoint a HIA commissioner, a process that should have been started in November 2019.

“Victims must come first in all we do, and establishing and maintaining confidence and trust is at the heart of helping victims. If there is no confidence and trust then we are failing victims.”

Mr McAllister confirmed the data breach at his office and issued an apology.

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He said that measures were immediately taken to recall the email and the incident was reported to the Information Commissioner.

Mr McAllister said: “I would like to apologise for the disclosure of email details.

“We have been in touch with all concerned to inform them of this unfortunate development.

“Steps are also being taken to investigate how this data breach occurred.”