A former detective considered crucial to a probe into allegations of police monitoring of journalists’ phones accused lawyers of seeking revenge, the court heard. Darren Ellis, a former Durham police detective, claimed in an email to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal that lawyers and journalists were disregarding those who challenged them. The tribunal is investigating claims that journalists Trevor Birney, Barry McCaffrey, and Vincent Kearney were unlawfully put under police surveillance to uncover their sources. Ellis, a key witness, stated in an email that he was no longer willing to testify due to the lawyers’ unwillingness to accept explanations. The journalists were unlawfully arrested after producing a documentary exposing police collusion in a murder case. Ellis criticized the journalists’ legal teams for allegedly rewriting history and intimidating challengers. The court was warned about the dangerous language used by Ellis accusing journalists and lawyers of seeking payback. Ben Jaffey, representing the journalists, argued that Ellis should be compelled to give evidence to the tribunal. The case raises concerns about the impact of state surveillance on journalists’ ability to do their job and the safety of their sources. The court declined to combine a complaint from BBC journalist Vincent Kearney with the ongoing hearing, and the case will continue in October.
Former detective claims lawyers and journalists seeking revenge over police phone surveillance
