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Undercover policing public inquiry to open in London Undercover policing public inquiry to open in London
(about 2 hours later)
A public inquiry into undercover policing in England and Wales is to be formally opened later on Tuesday.A public inquiry into undercover policing in England and Wales is to be formally opened later on Tuesday.
Chairman Lord Justice Pitchford will make a statement setting out its aims.Chairman Lord Justice Pitchford will make a statement setting out its aims.
Home Secretary Theresa May ordered the review after claims a police "spy" had infiltrated the family "camp" of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.Home Secretary Theresa May ordered the review after claims a police "spy" had infiltrated the family "camp" of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.
It also comes after investigations revealed officers had had relationships with women while undercover, and had used the names of dead children.It also comes after investigations revealed officers had had relationships with women while undercover, and had used the names of dead children.
Lawyers investigating allegations for the Home Office say they have uncovered more than 80 possible miscarriages of justice relating to undercover policing.Lawyers investigating allegations for the Home Office say they have uncovered more than 80 possible miscarriages of justice relating to undercover policing.
Undercover: The allegations made to dateUndercover: The allegations made to date
Campaigners say the inquiry must provide full disclosure of decades of work to infiltrate protest groups - including the identities of officers suspected of wrongdoing.Campaigners say the inquiry must provide full disclosure of decades of work to infiltrate protest groups - including the identities of officers suspected of wrongdoing.
Most of the allegations relate to a secret Metropolitan Police unit, the Special Demonstration Squad, that was disbanded seven years ago.Most of the allegations relate to a secret Metropolitan Police unit, the Special Demonstration Squad, that was disbanded seven years ago.
Case studyCase study
"Alison" was a member of an independent political group in London in the 1990s when she had a relationship with a man she knew as Mark Cassidy. "Alison" was a member of an independent political group in London in the 1990s when she formed a relationship with a man she knew as Mark Cassidy. They were together for five years and lived together for four.
He presented himself as a joiner from Birkenhead who had moved to London for work. But Mark disappeared suddenly, saying he'd had a row with his mother and was depressed.
They were together for five years and lived together for four. But Mark disappeared suddenly, saying he'd had a row with his mother and was depressed. "His disappearance five years after we met was very sudden and unexpected and didn't make sense. I spent a long time trying to find out where he was and why he'd left," Alison told Radio 4's Today programme.
"Having spoken to other women with similar stories, it was part of their exit strategy," Alison told Radio 4's Today programme. She believes claims of depression were part of an "exit strategy" used by officers.
"I knew I had to get on with my life and I did that, but still carried on looking and searching when I could," she added.
She later found out "Mark" had a wife and children.She later found out "Mark" had a wife and children.
"I've carried on with my life, I've met somebody else who I grew up with as a child which was the only reason I was able to trust them was because I knew that they were who they said they were.
"And I've been fortunate enough to have a family, but many of the women who this has happened to have not been so fortunate."
Lord Justice Pitchford's inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice in London will focus on the undercover activities of the SDS and the similar National Public Order Intelligence Unit which operated across England and Wales.Lord Justice Pitchford's inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice in London will focus on the undercover activities of the SDS and the similar National Public Order Intelligence Unit which operated across England and Wales.
It will investigate the extent to which officers targeted individuals and groups such as political and social justice campaigns.It will investigate the extent to which officers targeted individuals and groups such as political and social justice campaigns.
Lord Justice Pitchford's inquiry is expected to be split into three parts: establishing what happened, examining the procedures adopted by police to prevent wrongdoing, and recommendations for the future.Lord Justice Pitchford's inquiry is expected to be split into three parts: establishing what happened, examining the procedures adopted by police to prevent wrongdoing, and recommendations for the future.
The three-year inquiry's terms of reference include:The three-year inquiry's terms of reference include:
Allegations first emerged in 2011 when a former undercover officer, Mark Kennedy, offered to help defend, in court, six environmental campaigners whom he had infiltrated.Allegations first emerged in 2011 when a former undercover officer, Mark Kennedy, offered to help defend, in court, six environmental campaigners whom he had infiltrated.
That trial collapsed - and later the same year, there were further revelations of undercover relationships, one of which led to a child.That trial collapsed - and later the same year, there were further revelations of undercover relationships, one of which led to a child.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondentBy Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent
The allegations of wrongdoing by undercover police officers that have emerged since 2011 have been extraordinary.The allegations of wrongdoing by undercover police officers that have emerged since 2011 have been extraordinary.
That steady stream of stories has led to the launch of a major public inquiry into their activities.That steady stream of stories has led to the launch of a major public inquiry into their activities.
The breadth and nature of what is being alleged is almost too big to grasp, but it fundamentally comes down to a simple question of whether elements of the police were out of control.The breadth and nature of what is being alleged is almost too big to grasp, but it fundamentally comes down to a simple question of whether elements of the police were out of control.
Seven key issues the inquiry will examine.Seven key issues the inquiry will examine.
"Alison", who unwittingly lived with an undercover officer for four years, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she wanted an "open, transparent and robust" inquiry with "full and frank disclosure" for those affected."Alison", who unwittingly lived with an undercover officer for four years, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she wanted an "open, transparent and robust" inquiry with "full and frank disclosure" for those affected.
Peter Francis, a former undercover officer in the Metropolitan Police, said: "These political activists were almost demonised within the police service and special branch as being subversives that were going to overrun the state."Peter Francis, a former undercover officer in the Metropolitan Police, said: "These political activists were almost demonised within the police service and special branch as being subversives that were going to overrun the state."
He said with the "benefit of hindsight where I am now - I just think it's a total abuse of police power to employ these extreme measures that we use against terrorists and against serious organised criminals against political campaigners".He said with the "benefit of hindsight where I am now - I just think it's a total abuse of police power to employ these extreme measures that we use against terrorists and against serious organised criminals against political campaigners".
The Campaign Against Police Surveillance, a group that includes people taking legal action against forces, said: "It is to be hoped that when Lord Justice Pitchford fleshes out his terms of reference we will see these issues addressed and his inquiry will deliver the answers that justice demands."The Campaign Against Police Surveillance, a group that includes people taking legal action against forces, said: "It is to be hoped that when Lord Justice Pitchford fleshes out his terms of reference we will see these issues addressed and his inquiry will deliver the answers that justice demands."