Lives may be at risk due to Northern Ireland police error, says former NI secretary Shaun Woodward

Asked if lives were at risk due to the leak, he told GB News: “There could be and the short answer is we don't really know.

“Following a request for Freedom of Information, a terrible error was made in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, adding to the request what's called source data, which meant that actually the surnames, initials and the departments in which 10,000 police officers in Northern Ireland suddenly found online their details had been posted.

“Now, in Northern Ireland, a lot of policemen go to work every day not dressed in a uniform so men and women leave home in plain clothes, their neighbours don't know what they go to do. They've had to keep their work secret in order to protect themselves and their families.”

In a discussion with Camilla Tominey, and asked if the chief constable should resign, he said: “The point about resignation is does it actually do anything?

“Right now we need somebody to find out what's going on and I'm not sure it would actually help if because of a mistake the Chief Constable leaves his job, leaving nobody at the top of the tree to try and sort out what is actually happening and to protect the officers concerned.

“That's the right decision for now, but maybe the secretary of state might make a statement on this, because this is one of those areas where because of power sharing not working properly in Northern Ireland there undoubtedly is a vacuum that needs to be filled.”

Asked if affected officers should bring a class action legal bid for compensation, he said: “What I support at the moment is actually knowing how much in danger these police officers are. Let's be frank about this, it's no good getting money if somebody subsequently loses their life because their identity has been compromised.”

On Monday, a UK Government spokesperson said the PSNI retains its “full support” as it deals with the fallout from the data breach.

A spokesperson said: "The PSNI has the Government’s full support in responding to the data breach and our focus is on providing appropriate and proportionate support and expertise."The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to be kept updated on developments."