Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #CHISBill
Most recents (9)
Dave Smith, blacklisted trade unionist & core participant at the #SpyCopsInquiry, begins his opening statement. He speaks on behalf of the Blacklist Support Group, representing union members who were unlawfully blacklisted by major construction firms
Mitting says Smith can't use the real name of #spycops officer Carlo Neri, which is Carlo Soracchi. Smith says he won't do it. But we will. This is Carlo Soracchi 
Smith: When BSG first spoke about #blacklisting for union activities we were ignored by the authorities & ridiculed as conspiracy theorists. But it isn’t a conspiracy theory, it’s conspiracy fact – & it involves the collusion of the police and the security services
Children are used by criminal gangs and police alike. Once they are in the criminals and informants system it's hard to escape that life.#3Point5Percent
The Covert Human Intelligence Sources bill needs significant amendments . We must write to the House of Lords. More to follow on this from #3Point5Percent .
Criminal gang members and informants run real risks to life. The pressure is intense, the fear is sickening #3Point5Percent
The #SpyCopsInquiry continues with the return of Imran Khan QC, this time speaking for Michael Mansfield QC in relation to the Stephen Lawrence case.
Khan: When the state appears to be having a wholesale attack on lawyer there are grave consequences. There are far right plots against law firms, & the Home Secretary criticising 'activist lefty lawyers
Khan: The Home Sec dismissed lawyers objecting to her comments, saying 'get back to work' even though she was actually objecting to their work
Day 5 of the #SpyCopsInquiry will continue with a statement from Lord Hendy QC, speaking for the Fire Brigades Union
@fbunational & Unite the Union @UnitePolitics, which we'll live tweet in this thread.
@fbunational & Unite the Union @UnitePolitics, which we'll live tweet in this thread.
Hendy: As well as the FBU & Unite, the CWU, GMD, NEU, NUJ, RMT & PCS may have been targeted by #Spycops
Hendy: My clients don't believe they will see justification for being targeted by #spycops. Why was intel gathered? They think it was used for unlawful #blacklisting
First up at today's #SpyCopsInquiry is James Scobie QC, speaking for #spyCops victims represented by Paul Heron
Scobie: We represent 2 core particpants - Richard Chessum & Mary - from Tranche 1 (1968-82), & others who were spied on later, covering 1974-2000s. They show SDS tactics were in place from the start & allowed/encouraged to proliferate over the decades
Scobie: The state knew it was impeding democratic organisations, slowing progress towards better lives for citizens. It has violated its citizens. It did not develop over time, nor was it 'rogue officers'.
Finally at the #SpyCopsInquiry, we'll hear the opening statement from Rajiv Menon QC, on behalf of core participants represented by Jane Deighton & Richard Parry. We'll live tweet the statement in this thread.
Jane Deighton represents Audrey, Nathan & Richard Adams, the family of teenager Rolan Adams who was murdered by racists in February 1991 & whose campaign was one of those targeted by #SpyCops.
campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2018/02/14/whi…
campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2018/02/14/whi…
Jane also represents @DuwayneBrooks, friend of Stephen Lawrence & prime witness to Stephen's murder. Duwayne has twice been prosecuted on wholly trumped up charges that were thrown out of court as an abuse of process.
Next speaker at the #SpyCopsInquiry is Richard Whittam QC representing Slater & Gordon Clients (12 ex #SpyCops)
Whittam: an uninitiated observer maydeceiving think the Inquiry was just about #SpyCops deceivng women into relationships, but it's much more than that. But it doesn't include blaming individual officers.
Whittam: the Inquiry will examine inappropriate deployment and tactics. Eg management & supervisory structure, targeting & authorisation, reporting on justice campaigns, management's attitude to relationships & commission of crime, welfare of officers & families
The #SpyCopsInquiry is underway. Today's hearing will be entirely taken up by David Barr QC, Counsel to the Inquiry, explaining the remit of the Inquiry
Barr: Not just fsr left groups but groups campaigning for race & sexual equality, nuclear disarmament, & justice campaigns such as the family of Stephen Lawrence
Barr: #SpyCops reported on personal details of Stepehn Lawrence's friend @DuwayneBrooks, including personal relationships & his legal strategy in response to trumped-up charges.
Here are my thoughts on the super-sensitive CHIS (Criminal Conduct) Bill #CHISBill, published today in time (just) for 2nd reading in @HouseofCommons on Monday assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…. /1
CHIS = covert human intelligence source legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/23/…: put simply, an agent who for whatever reason (personal, financial, even patriotic) agrees to help the police, MI5 or others spy on suspected criminals. They are authorised under #RIPA legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/23/… /2
CHIS play a vital role in disrupting terrorism and organised crime. Over the past year, CHIS operations by @metpoliceuk alone are claimed to have led to 3500 arrests, recovery of 100 firearms and 400 other weapons, seizure of 400 kg of Class A drugs, and £2.5m cash. /3
