“Raid on the Braid” fallout: MEA Council prosecution to follow FOI investigation

Two individuals face prosecution following police investigation into deleted emails linked to a 2021 FOI request.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has confirmed it will prosecute two individuals for alleged offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, following a police investigation into the deletion of emails at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in 2021.

In a statement released on 27 June 2025, the PPS said the charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred in April and June 2021.

The investigation was launched by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in response to concerns that emails linked to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request were deliberately removed from council records.

A total of four individuals were reported to the PPS by the PSNI as part of their investigation. However, following a full review by a senior public prosecutor, only two will face charges.

“Following careful consideration of all available evidence submitted by police, a decision has been taken to prosecute two individuals summarily for offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000,” the PPS said.

One of the individuals will face three charges under Section 77 of the Act, which relates to the alteration, defacing, blocking, erasure, destruction or concealment of requested information with intent to prevent disclosure.

The second individual will face a single charge under the same section.

According to the PPS, the remaining two individuals will not face prosecution as “the available evidence… is insufficient in order to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and therefore the Test for Prosecution is not met.”

The case has drawn significant attention from local representatives, particularly in light of what has become known publicly as the “Raid On The Braid” – a reference to police activity at the council’s Braid offices in Ballymena in October 2021.

Responding to the PPS announcement, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA for North Antrim, Timothy Gaston, welcomed the decision.

“I welcome today’s decision by the Public Prosecution Service to bring prosecutions following the police investigation into the alleged deletion of emails at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council,” Mr Gaston said.

“The integrity of Freedom of Information processes is essential to public trust in local government. If officials or others interfered with those processes, there must be consequences.

“This case has taken years to come to this point after the Raid On The Braid back in October 21. I will follow proceedings closely.”

The PPS emphasised that all decisions are taken independently and in accordance with its Code for Prosecutors, which outlines the two-stage Test for Prosecution: first, an Evidential Test to determine whether there is a reasonable prospect of conviction, and secondly, a Public Interest Test.

As legal proceedings are expected to begin shortly, the PPS has stated that no further comment will be made at this stage. A court date for the defendants’ first appearance at the Magistrates’ Court will be confirmed in due course.

Love Ballymena has asked Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for comment. A council spokesperson said:

“We continue to co-operate fully with the relevant authorities. In light of ongoing legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further at this time.”