PSNI data breach: Almost £40 million paid to officers in recent days
Over 5000 police officers and staff have been paid £7,500 in compensation after their personal information was released in a major PSNI data breach.
Belfast law firm Edwards Solicitors has said that their clients were paid close to £40 million in recent days as part of a Universal Offer to settle their claim over the matter.
Several hundred claims remain ongoing for those who chose not to accept the Universal Offer.
In December Stormont ministers agreed to ring fence £119m to compensate police officers over the breach
The personal details of all 9,400 officers and staff were accidentally released in 2023 as part of a response to a Freedom of Information request.
Philip Gordon, Partner and Head of Litigation at Edwards said the claims represented one of the most significant group action settlements achieved by any law firm in Northern Ireland, and possibly the United Kingdom.
Rachel Powderly, Solicitor said: “The case was groundbreaking and we are not aware of any previous group action of this nature and magnitude in Northern Ireland, or indeed the UK. The prospect of dealing with the claims on a case-by-case basis was neither realistic nor practical. This would have prolonged matters for years with no guarantee of outcomes.”
The Chair of the Police Federation Liam Kelly, warmly welcomed the payment.
Mr Kelly said: “We worked hard with our legal representatives to get this compensation across the line. Under the terms of what was agreed, each officer will receive £7,500.
"The sums were processed on Friday and yesterday and for the vast majority of officers, this brings to an end a legal action of historic proportions.”