All content from March 2014

London Assembly Opportunity to Question on Undercover Policing

The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will Thursday question the following guests about policing and criminal justice.

 

From 10am

· Met Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey
· Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Stephen Greenhalgh

Subjects for questioning include:
· Met payout to victims of John Worboys
· Investigating corruption in the Met
· A public inquiry into undercover policing

From 11:30am

Mayor of London Boris Johnson will join the meeting for questions about undercover policing.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, 27 March from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.  The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.

Scotland Yard in new undercover police row

Scotland Yard in new undercover police row

Today’s Observer front page carries a story on the Metropolitan Police’s latest attempts to cover up its abusive spying operations, and to prevent victims from accessing justice through the courts.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/08/scotland-yard-undercover-police-row

Statement from Peter Francis on the public inquiry into undercover police

Peter Francis, former Special Demonstration Squad (“SDS”) officer has welcomed the announcement of a judge-led public inquiry into undercover policing

6 March 2014

A former Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) officer has welcomed the announcement of a judge-led public inquiry into undercover policing.

Theresa May announced the public inquiry, in the wake of Mr Ellison QC’s “profoundly shocking” findings, published today in his review into police corruption and undercover surveillance associated with the original Stephen Lawrence investigation.

Peter Francis, a former SDS officer, said: “I am delighted by the Home Secretary’s announcement to set up a public inquiry into the work of undercover police officers. I have been calling for such an inquiry since October 2011.

“When the full truth comes out about the Police’s work and activities against political campaigns and protests, across the UK since 1968, I think the public will be very shocked.”

“The public inquiry must investigate the work undertaken by police’s Special Demonstration Squad and its undercover surveillance of political campaigns in general.

“It should not be limited in relation to time or particular issues. The truth about the tactics of undercover policing will only be revealed by way of a truly independent, public inquiry, which will require those involved to provide evidence under oath.”

Information was correct at time of publishing.