Background

Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Actions Against the Police and Data Breach Department, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against Merseyside Police. Mr McConville’s client wishes to remain anonymous for the purposes of this blog however.

Mrs S’s employment role was to assist in providing temporary hotel accommodation and care for asylum seekers during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated national lockdown. As standard procedure for being able to work with vulnerable people and before commencing her role, Mrs S provided a clear DBS check. Mrs S was suddenly removed from her post and was told this was because her employer had received information from Merseyside Police claiming concerns regarding her DBS clearance. Mrs S subsequently raised a complaint with Merseyside Police and the matter was investigated in relation to the said alleged unlawful disclosure from one of their Police Officers to Mrs S’s employer. In their complaint response, Merseyside Police confirmed that an Inspector had breached Mrs S’ personal data and the disclosure was unnecessary too. As a result of the same, Mrs S lost her job and suffered psychologically too.

Representation

After what had happened, Mrs S approached specialist Actions Against the Police and Data Breach Solicitors, Irvings Law, for assistance. Mr McConville immediately acknowledged that what happened to Mrs S was completely wrong and without hesitation, offered to act for her by way of “no win, no fee”. After obtaining all documentation, information and footage from Merseyside Police, Mr McConville alleged that Merseyside Police had breached Mrs S’ human rights to privacy and also GDPR not to mention breaching confidence in the Force and misusing information as well. In response, Merseyside Police denied liability but confirmed a willingness to settle.

Resolution

As Mrs S did not wish to go through Court proceedings and after negotiation, she settled her claim for £7,000.00.