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Undercover policing unit tactics not justified, says report Undercover policing unit tactics not justified, says report
(32 minutes later)
A campaigners' banner outside The High CourtA campaigners' banner outside The High Court
An undercover police unit which gathered intelligence on left wing and anarchist groups from the 1960s to the 1980s should have been disbanded early on, says a former senior judge. The use of undercover policing tactics from the 1960s onwards were not justified and the unit should have been disbanded early on, a report says.
Most of the groups infiltrated by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) were no threat, says Sir John Mitting, chair of the undercover policing inquiry. Ex-senior judge Sir John Mitting said most groups infiltrated by the Special Demonstration Squad posed no threat.
The report details intrusion into people's lives and relationships. His report for the undercover policing inquiry details tactics such as forming sexual relationships and using the names of dead children for cover.
The end did not justify the means, the report concludes.The end did not justify the means, the report concludes.
Sir John describes the impact of SDS officers' actions on hundreds of people's lives and says he has come to the firm conclusion that the end did not justify the means. In some cases they had sexual relationships while undercover and used dead children's names as part of their cover. The SDS was tasked with infiltrating left-wing political and activist groups.
Sir John describes the impact of SDS officers' actions on hundreds of people's lives. In some cases officers had sexual relationships while undercover and used dead children's names to create their false identities.
He says had the use of these means been known publicly at the time, the SDS would have been brought to a rapid end.He says had the use of these means been known publicly at the time, the SDS would have been brought to a rapid end.
And he believes the tactic of taking dead children's identities should have been referred to senior Met officers and Home Office officials.And he believes the tactic of taking dead children's identities should have been referred to senior Met officers and Home Office officials.
Officers were deployed into groups for years and some took on positions of responsibility. They reported extensive details on individuals, including their relationships and family lives.Officers were deployed into groups for years and some took on positions of responsibility. They reported extensive details on individuals, including their relationships and family lives.
While the inquiry is covering more than 50 years of undercover policing, this first report is focusing on the period 1968 to 1982. The inquiry has heard evidence from those spied on during these years. Witnesses included political activists, among them Peter, now Lord Hain, who was involved in the anti apartheid movement and went on to be a Labour cabinet minister, trade unionists and women deceived into relationships.While the inquiry is covering more than 50 years of undercover policing, this first report is focusing on the period 1968 to 1982. The inquiry has heard evidence from those spied on during these years. Witnesses included political activists, among them Peter, now Lord Hain, who was involved in the anti apartheid movement and went on to be a Labour cabinet minister, trade unionists and women deceived into relationships.
Will undercover abuses be revealed before victims die?Will undercover abuses be revealed before victims die?
What is the Undercover Policing Inquiry?What is the Undercover Policing Inquiry?
Police apology over undercover 'deceit'Police apology over undercover 'deceit'
Undercover police officer 'not forgiven'Undercover police officer 'not forgiven'
Sir John says the tactics used by the SDS should have been addressed at the highest level within the Metropolitan police and the Home Office, which annually authorised and funded the unit. He outlines how both viewed the SDS as a potential source of embarrassment. And he says a report by senior police officers in 1976 did not address SDS tactics. Sir John says the tactics used by the SDS should have been addressed at the highest level within the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office, which annually authorised and funded the unit. He outlines how both viewed the SDS as a potential source of embarrassment. And he says a report by senior police officers in 1976 did not address SDS tactics.
Intelligence gathered by its officers was passed to bosses at Scotland Yard and MI5. Intelligence gathered by its officers was passed to bosses at Scotland Yard and MI5.
The stated aim of the SDS was to help police control public order in London the groups targeted were not involved in terrorism or other serious crime, says the report. The stated aim of the SDS was to help police control public order in London but the groups targeted were not involved in terrorism or other serious crime, says the report.
Sir John concludes that the fact that the SDS did not infiltrate right wing groups was not because of political bias. He says those running the unit decided these groups were already covered and they were concerned about the risk of violence.Sir John concludes that the fact that the SDS did not infiltrate right wing groups was not because of political bias. He says those running the unit decided these groups were already covered and they were concerned about the risk of violence.
The undercover policing inquiry was set up in 2015 and began hearing evidence in 2020. It has so far cost over £64m. Its final report is currently scheduled for 2026.The undercover policing inquiry was set up in 2015 and began hearing evidence in 2020. It has so far cost over £64m. Its final report is currently scheduled for 2026.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Home OfficeHome Office
Metropolitan Police ServiceMetropolitan Police Service
Undercover policing inquiryUndercover policing inquiry