Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003

29 Disclosure of information and holding of inquiries

(1) After section 76 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) insert—

“76A Disclosure of information and holding of inquiries

(1) For the purposes of sections 33A, 59 and 66, the grounds on which information ought not to be disclosed are that—

(a) it is in the interests of national security;

(b) the information is sensitive personnel information;

(c) the information would, or would be likely to, prejudice proceedings which have been commenced in a court of law.

(2) For the purposes of section 60, the grounds on which an inquiry ought not to be held are that—

(a) it is in the interests of national security;

(b) any matter into which inquiry is to be made is a sensitive personnel matter;

(c) the inquiry would, or would be likely to, prejudice proceedings which have been commenced in a court of law.

(3) “Personnel information” means information which relates to an individual’s holding of, application for or appointment to a relevant office or employment.

(4) “Personnel matter” means a matter which relates to an individual’s holding of, application for or appointment to a relevant office or employment.

(5) An office or employment is a relevant office or employment for the purposes of subsections (3) and (4) if the holder of it is under the direction and control of the Chief Constable.

(6) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsections (3) and (4) that the individual no longer holds the office or employment.”

(2) Subsection (1) has effect for the purposes of section 59 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 in accordance with section 10(5) of this Act.

(3) Subsection (1) has effect for the purposes of section 60 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 in accordance with section 11(5) of this Act.