Royal Mail has launched an investigation after hundreds of letters containing sensitive correspondence were discovered dumped at Mobuoy on the outskirts of Derry, prompting calls for accountability from SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has demanded an explanation from Royal Mail after hundreds of letters were found dumped.

Mr Durkan said a member of the public handed a bag containing hundreds of sensitive letters to his constituency office on Wednesday afternoon. The Foyle MLA added that he has been in contact with Royal Mail Management and the PSNI and said efforts must be made to ensure they get to their intended recipient.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: “This is absolutely shocking. Multiple bags of undelivered mail have been discovered dumped on a country road that we’re aware of. It is my understanding that there were other similar bags strewn around the area.

MLA Mark H. Durkan with a bag of dumped letters.

placeholder image — MLA Mark H. Durkan with a bag of dumped letters.

“Issues with Royal Mail have been well publicised and well documented over the past few years. I recently met with representatives from Royal Mail at Stormont to discuss serious concerns about the standard of service across the Derry area.

“We’re talking about undelivered health appointments, letters from HMRC, benefit decisions, housing offers, bank cards and other vital correspondence which affect the lives of so many people, dumped with no regard whatsoever for those affected.

“There must be a full investigation into this appalling situation, proper accountability and an apology response from Royal Mail setting out what action they intend to take. Royal Mail’s motto is ‘Care, Faith, Zeal’ but this mess shows precious little care, no faith in the service being delivered and certainly no zeal in protecting the public’s mail.”

The Foyle MLA shared a video on social media on Wednesday afternoon showing the contents of a bag containing hundreds of letters that had been recovered at Mobuoy.

In response to Mr Durkan a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving mail being discarded at Mobuoy and are currently investigating. Our teams will work to recover and process the items so they can be returned to the postal network and delivered to customers.”