Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long sent WhatsApp messages to PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton regarding a social media post by Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie. The post used a PSNI logo alongside criticism of the Department of Justice over an alleged data breach involving names of officers suing the police force.

Long posted on X that she hoped the PSNI knew about the UUP's use of its branding, which she said created an impression of police support for Beattie's claims. She screenshotted the post and sent it to Singleton within two minutes, calling it out of order. Singleton replied that it was absolutely inappropriate and said he would write to the UUP.

Long responded that the matter needed challenging publicly and referenced UUP's Jon Burrows acting as if he spoke for the PSNI. Singleton noted the post was being taken down and that the PSNI had asked for clarification that it did not endorse the content. Long emphasized her respect for PSNI operational independence while expressing frustration.

The UUP removed the logo after PSNI contact, which occurred six minutes after Long's message to Singleton. The party described the logo use as inadvertent and removed at the earliest opportunity. It accused Long of political interference and undermining its leader's character in private messages to police.

The Department of Justice stated that Long respects PSNI independence, which she referenced in the exchange. It said she only brought the logo misuse to police attention, noting PSNI guidance to parties against using its branding in political communications. The messages emerged from Freedom of Information requests by the UUP.