Question
Violence against women and Covert Human Intelligence Sources Allison Morris from the Belfast Telegraph wrote an article on 17th February 2025 – ‘how a woman was abused by an MI5 agent who attacked her with a machete’. This raised questions about the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) who are involved in the abuse of women. The article was triggered by publicity about the use of CHIS by MI5 and the subsequent issues around the failure to provide accurate information to the courts. The recent history of Northern Ireland contains a considerable number of stories about the criminal activities of CHIS. Some statutory safeguards were introduced on the use of CHIS in the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act which was designed to provide a more rigorous authorisation process to deal with the criminal activities of CHIS. Nonetheless, this Act does not ensure that those who have committed or continue to commit abuse against women are not used as CHIS. What procedures does the PSNI have in place to avoid the kind of situation that confronted the woman in this story? In addition, and in view of the obvious sensitivity of these issues, will the PSNI, as a matter of urgency, allow the Board’s Human Rights Advisor review any material relevant to the criminal activities, past and present of those people currently being used as CHIS by the PSNI?
Answer
All PSNI CHIS Authorisations are undertaken in line with Investigatory Powers Act 2016, CHIS (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 and associated CHIS Codes of Practice. The authorisations are further subjected to statutory external independent scrutiny by the Investigating Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on an annual basis.
Three times a year, ACC Crime reviews those CHIS presenting higher risk issues. During these meetings the risk control measures are discussed to ensure they do not engage in criminal activity. The minutes of these meetings are reviewed by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and they are seen as good practice.
All PSNI CHIS Authorisations are undertaken in line with Investigatory Powers Act 2016, CHIS (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 and associated CHIS Codes of Practice. The authorisations are further subjected to statutory external independent scrutiny by the Investigating Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on an annual basis.
Three times a year, ACC Crime reviews those CHIS presenting higher risk issues. During these meetings the risk control measures are discussed to ensure they do not engage in criminal activity. The minutes of these meetings are reviewed by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and they are seen as good practice.
Les Allamby