News / Society

UK undercover policing under scrutiny

Tuesday, 28 July 2015 1:38 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 28 July 2015 3:17 PM ]

File image of Mark Kennedy, an undercover officer who infiltrated campaign groups.

A public inquiry into undercover policing is to be launched in England and Wales on Tuesday.

The inquiry comes following a request to review claims that an undercover police officer had infiltrated the network of the family and friends of the murdered teenager, Stephen Lawrence. Theresa May, who demanded the review described undercover policing as "essential", says that there is a need for the public’s confidence in the tactics to be restored following the shocking allegations.

Stephen Lawrence was a Black British teenager from Eltham, south east London, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus on the evening of 22 April 1993.

In his opening remarks, appeal court judge, Lord Justice Pitchford said he would investigate the terms of reference and process taken during the covert work, including "justification, authorization, operational governance and oversight”.

Other allegations have been made including claims of miscarriages of justice as officers had been targeted even more campaigners, trade unionists, Labour MPs and anti-racism groups.

The investigation found more than 80 possible miscarriages of justice related to the Special Demonstration Squad, a secret Metropolitan Police unit that had been disbanded seven years ago.

Figures show at least 42 of 106 officers were using names of deceased children while being involved in relationships with women who were unaware they were undercover officers.

Analysts and campaigners say the inquiry must prove full disclosure of decades of work to infiltrate protest groups, including the identities of officers suspected of wrongdoing.

File image of an anti-racism protest rally in Cardiff, Wales.

The inquiry is expected to investigate the use of covert human intelligence sources by all English and Welsh police forces and will most likely be split into three parts.

Former undercover office, Peter Francis said: "These political activists were almost demonized within the police service and special branch as being subversives that were going to overrun the state."

The Campaign Against Police Surveillance 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 forefront of the investigation will establish what had happened and will be followed by an examination of procedures adopted by the police as well as recommendations for the future deployment of undercover police officers.

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