UK 'Spy Cops' Inquiry Finds Met Police's Undercover Tactics 'Unjustified'

Improve the News Foundation -

Facts

  • Retired senior judge Sir John Mitting has concluded in an interim report for the Undercover Policing Inquiry published Thursday that tactics used by the UK's Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) weren't justified, and the unit should have been disbanded earlier.1
  • Though conceding that long-term infiltration into left-wing and anarchist groups contributed to controlling public order in London, Mitting stressed this could have been achieved by less intrusive means.2
  • After scrutinizing the activities of the SDS between 1968 and 1982, Mitting found that undercover policing was justified only in three groups, including Sinn Féin, on the grounds that they potentially posed a threat to the safety of the state.3
  • This is the first report to emerge from the public inquiry set up in 2015 by then-Home Secretary Theresa May amid scandals over undercover cops' strategies, such as women being deceived into sexual relationships, stealing the identities of dead children, and spying on justice campaigns.4
  • Between 1968 and 2010, 139 police spies reportedly infiltrated more than 1K mainly left-wing and progressive political groups, reportedly with the consent of the highest levels of government and funding from the Home Office.5
  • The full findings, extending to at least 2010, are expected to be published by 2026. It remains unclear whether the Metropolitan Police still carry out undercover operations into disruptive protest groups.6

Sources: 1BBC News, 2The National, 3The Telegraph, 4Independent, 5Guardian, and 6Sky News.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Declassified UK. This was a major scandal that revealed the true nature of British law enforcement. Had it not been for the fearless efforts of those who were victimized over the past 40 years, the Met Police would still be executing an anti-democratic, state-sponsored surveillance system against groups that pose no threat.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Metropolitan Police. It’s important to remember that police tactics have been reformed several times over the years, and although a few rotten apples were engaging in damaging behavior, most officers were properly and lawfully performing their duties. This inquiry will be taken into advisement for making further reforms.