Black Lives Matter protest fines: PSNI reputation 'damaged'

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's reputation has been "severely damaged" over Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest fines, an organiser has said.

It comes after the PSNI asked for fines that were issued at two BLM protests to be refunded.

The fines relate to protests on 6 June 2020 in Belfast and Londonderry.

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PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has previously apologised after a report found police handling of the protests was unfair and discriminatory.

Lilian Seenoi-Barr, one of the protest organisers, said it would take a "lot of time to repair relationships with the PSNI" adding that "people feel let down".

"From the start we knew we were right and it has made people lose confidence in the PSNI even further," Ms Seenoi-Barr told BBC Radio Foyle.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the service "erred in our use of penalty notices" and "are taking this action to correct that error".

It is understood the request to refund money paid out in fines relates to 72 "COV1" (£60) penalty notices issued at Custom House Square in Belfast and Guildhall Square in Derry last June.

In June of this year, it emerged that 14 people reported to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) after those protests would not be prosecuted.

They were referred to the PPS for potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations.

The PPS had said there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence".

Last year, the Police Ombudsman found justification in claims the handling of the Black Lives Matter protests by the PSNI was unfair and discriminatory.