Is there a qualified immunity in the context of a civil action brought by former Deputy First Minister of State John Rutherford, who was sued in his individual capacity for violating Section 1983 of the Civil Code of Civil Procedure?

Rutherford, who was sued in his individual capacity for violating 1983, has raised the affirmative defense of qualified immunity. The doctrine of qualified immunity insulates government agents against personal liability for money damages for actions taken in good faith pursuant to their discretionary authority. See Harlow v. Fitzgerald , 457 U.S. 800, 807 (1982). More specifically, "governmental officials . . . generally are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known." Id. at 818.