Jamie Bryson claims prosecutors want to access his Twitter data
Prosecutors want US authorities to release Twitter data from a loyalist activist accused of plotting to subvert a Stormont inquiry into a billion pound property deal, it was claimed today.
Jamie Bryson told a court he intends to resist any alleged attempt to obtain the material by citing journalistic privilege.
The development emerged ahead of his legal bid to have the case against him thrown out.
Mr Bryson, 31, denies a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office on dates between September 1-24, 2015.
Former Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay, 38, and party member Thomas O’Hara, 36, are accused of the same offence.
The case relates to a Stormont probe into the £1.2bn sale of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama)’s Northern Ireland property portfolio to US investment giant Cerberus.
In September 2015 Mr Bryson gave explosive evidence to the Finance Committee examining the deal.
Using parliamentary privilege, he made an unsubstantiated allegation that Peter Robinson, the then DUP First Minister, was set to profit.
Mr Robinson strenuously denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he neither expected nor received any money from the sale.
At the time Mr McKay was chair of the Finance Committee and seen as a rising star within Sinn Fein’s ranks.
But a year later he stood down as an MLA for North Antrim and quit the party.
Police launched an investigation into the affair following a complaint by senior DUP figure Lord Morrow.
A decision was then taken to prosecute Mr Bryson, of Rosepark in Donaghadee, Co Down; Mr McKay, of Loughan Road in Dunnamanagh, Co Tyrone; and Mr O’Hara, from Lisnahunshin Road in Cullybackey, Co Antrim.
It centres on an alleged conspiracy to subvert the Finance Committee’s proceedings by giving evidence that should not have been permitted in open session.
Mr Bryson is attempting to have the charge against him dismissed before trial, with a preliminary investigation into the evidence listed for next month.
During a review hearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today he claimed prosecutors have applied to the Department of Justice in the United States for access to his Twitter data.
Mr Bryson contended that the alleged move raises issues about “journalistic privilege”.
He also confirmed his intention to argue that the case should be halted on human rights grounds.
Outside court he claimed: “There are serious issues under Article 7 and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“I have massive concerns about the proportionality of any application for private data of an individual, and I understand the Department of Justice in America is resisting handing over potential Twitter data due to my status as a journalist, as determined by the High Court.”