This claim is brought against the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis by News Group Newspapers and three journalists employed by The Sun newspaper, Mr Tom Newton Dunn, the political editor, Mr Anthony France and Mr Craig Woodhouse in respect of four authorisations issued under s 22 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (‘RIPA’). The purpose of the authorisations was to enable the police to obtain communications data which might reveal the sources of information obtained by the journalists.
Held: the use of the s 22 power in this investigation was indeed both necessary and proportionate in respect of three out of the four authorisations challenged, but are compelled to hold that the legal regime in place at the relevant time did not adequately safeguard the important public interest in the right of a journalist to protect the identity of his source.
Judges:
Burton J P
Citations:
[2015] UKIPTrib 14 – 176-H
Links:
Statutes:
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 22
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Police, Human Rights, Media
Updated: 19 November 2022; Ref: scu.556982