MI5 concedes it ‘unlawfully’ obtained data from former BBC journalist

MI5’s headquarters, Thames House in London. The security service confirmed in a letter to the BBC it had obtained communications data relating to Vincent Kearney in 2006 and 2009, according to his barrister. Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy

MI5 has conceded it “unlawfully” obtained the communications data of a former BBC journalist, in what was claimed to be an unprecedented admission from the security services.

The BBC said it was a “matter of grave concern” that the agency had obtained communications data from the mobile phone of Vincent Kearney, a former BBC Northern Ireland home affairs correspondent.