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Police 'aware' undercover officer was in relationship | Police 'aware' undercover officer was in relationship |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Police have admitted for the first time that an undercover officer had a sexual relationship with an environmental activist with the knowledge of bosses. | Police have admitted for the first time that an undercover officer had a sexual relationship with an environmental activist with the knowledge of bosses. |
Legal documents seen by the BBC reveal they knew about Mark Kennedy's relationship with Kate Wilson and allowed it to continue. | Legal documents seen by the BBC reveal they knew about Mark Kennedy's relationship with Kate Wilson and allowed it to continue. |
She was among several women he had relationships with while undercover. | She was among several women he had relationships with while undercover. |
In public statements to date, police have maintained such relationships would never have been sanctioned. | In public statements to date, police have maintained such relationships would never have been sanctioned. |
Posing as an environmental campaigner, Mark Stone, the police spy began a two-year relationship with Ms Wilson in 2003. | Posing as an environmental campaigner, Mark Stone, the police spy began a two-year relationship with Ms Wilson in 2003. |
She was one of a number of women he was involved with during his seven years undercover. In his real life, Mr Kennedy was married with children. | She was one of a number of women he was involved with during his seven years undercover. In his real life, Mr Kennedy was married with children. |
Ms Wilson is currently involved in legal action against the Metropolitan Police and the National Police Chiefs Council. | |
At different times the Met and the NPCC's predecessor, the Association of Chief Police Officers, were responsible for Mr Kennedy's deployments. | |
In documents disclosed to her legal team, the police concede that Mr Kennedy's sexual relationship with Ms Wilson "was carried out with the acquiescence of his cover officers and line manager". | In documents disclosed to her legal team, the police concede that Mr Kennedy's sexual relationship with Ms Wilson "was carried out with the acquiescence of his cover officers and line manager". |
Ms Wilson told the BBC: "The police have said that these cases were a failure of supervision and management, and that is just not the case. | Ms Wilson told the BBC: "The police have said that these cases were a failure of supervision and management, and that is just not the case. |
"Management were absolutely complicit in what was going on." | "Management were absolutely complicit in what was going on." |
'Incredibly disturbing' | 'Incredibly disturbing' |
In November 2015, the Met Police paid compensation to a number of women who were duped into relationships with police spies. | In November 2015, the Met Police paid compensation to a number of women who were duped into relationships with police spies. |
In an apology at that time, the force said: "The forming of a sexual relationship by an undercover officer would never be authorised in advance." | In an apology at that time, the force said: "The forming of a sexual relationship by an undercover officer would never be authorised in advance." |
Ms Wilson's lawyer, Harriet Wistrich said: "The police have always said this would never be permitted. | Ms Wilson's lawyer, Harriet Wistrich said: "The police have always said this would never be permitted. |
"What we are seeing in this case - and then of course it makes us question all the other cases - is that they allowed it to continue because it was convenient, because it assisted whatever their objectives were. | "What we are seeing in this case - and then of course it makes us question all the other cases - is that they allowed it to continue because it was convenient, because it assisted whatever their objectives were. |
"That is incredibly disturbing." | "That is incredibly disturbing." |
In the legal documents, the police admit that the relationship contravened Ms Wilson's human rights and the breach was made worse because Mr Kennedy's bosses knew what he was doing. | In the legal documents, the police admit that the relationship contravened Ms Wilson's human rights and the breach was made worse because Mr Kennedy's bosses knew what he was doing. |
The police admissions are part of their response to a case Ms Wilson is pursuing through the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which hears claims arising from the Human Rights Act. A hearing will take place on 3 October. | The police admissions are part of their response to a case Ms Wilson is pursuing through the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which hears claims arising from the Human Rights Act. A hearing will take place on 3 October. |
Ms Wistrich said: "Kate was involved in social justice and environmental campaigning. | Ms Wistrich said: "Kate was involved in social justice and environmental campaigning. |
"She does not expect that the state could actually allow an undercover officer to have a sexual relationship in order to facilitate his gathering of intelligence. | "She does not expect that the state could actually allow an undercover officer to have a sexual relationship in order to facilitate his gathering of intelligence. |
"It is a very shocking revelation in a so-called democratic society." | "It is a very shocking revelation in a so-called democratic society." |
The Met said it would not comment on the revelations because of the ongoing legal action. | The Met said it would not comment on the revelations because of the ongoing legal action. |
"The Metropolitan Police Service has made clear its position on long-term sexual relationships known to have been entered into by some undercover officers in the past. | "The Metropolitan Police Service has made clear its position on long-term sexual relationships known to have been entered into by some undercover officers in the past. |
"Those relationships were wrong and should not have happened." | "Those relationships were wrong and should not have happened." |