PSNI has £5.5 million contract with Israeli company but refuses to disclose details due to national security concerns.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has entered into a £5.5 million contract with an Israeli company, though it has not disclosed the name or nature of the agreement. The PSNI cited national security concerns as the reason for withholding this information, arguing that revealing details could endanger the physical or mental health and safety of individual officers. The contract, which began in November 2019, is set to conclude in November 2023.

The PSNI’s refusal to release specific information about the contract is based on its interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It stated that confirming or denying the existence of such arrangements on a national basis could enable adversaries to build an intelligence picture across policing, known as the “mosaic effect.” This, the PSNI claims, would prejudice law enforcement and national security functions.

The police service also warned that disclosing the nature of the contract could directly harm its ability to investigate crime. It argued that revealing police capabilities or compromising investigations could adversely affect the PSNI’s ability to safeguard national security. Additionally, the PSNI claimed that revealing the company’s name could expose officers to targeting, intimidation, or harm.

The PSNI further stated that releasing the name of the company might hinder its ability to apply for future goods or services. It explained that a public disclosure would provide an advantage to rival businesses and undermine the main contractor’s ability to tender for future contracts. This reasoning highlights the complex interplay between transparency and operational security in public service contracts.

The PSNI has previously faced scrutiny over its cooperation with Israeli police and security institutions. In 2021, Amnesty International’s north of Ireland director, Patrick Corrigan, called on the PSNI to suspend all programs with Israeli police and security services where there is a clear risk of involvement in human rights violations. This came after an investigation by The Detail highlighted potential concerns.

The issue of UK-Israel cooperation in policing and security raises broader questions about accountability, transparency, and the ethical implications of such partnerships. While the PSNI maintains that its actions are in the public interest, the lack of transparency has sparked debate about the balance between national security and the public’s right to know.

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