Day 5 of phase 2 of #SpyCopsInquiry. Today, two #spycops on the stand.
“David Robertson”, whose cover was blown, faces questions in partic over alleged threat to woman he feared would unmask him (see thread below).
And “Alex Sloan”, who also was rumbled.
“David Robertson”, whose cover was blown, faces questions in partic over alleged threat to woman he feared would unmask him (see thread below).
And “Alex Sloan”, who also was rumbled.
https://twitter.com/MarkWatts_1/status/1386604891691438080
“HN45” tells #SpyCopsInquiry that he used cover name of “Dave Robertson” as a #spycop from 1970. “I was tasked to infiltrate Maoist groups.”
Hearing has suddenly stopped. But because journalists can only hear audio feed virtually, no idea why.
Another #SpyCopsInquiry mystery.
Hearing has suddenly stopped. But because journalists can only hear audio feed virtually, no idea why.
Another #SpyCopsInquiry mystery.
Hearing of #SpyCopsInquiry stopped in mid-flow as #spycop “Dave Robertson” was answering questions.
I understand that hearing was “paused“ while inquiry investigates what it calls a potential breach of a restriction order.
Does not seem to be an issue with Qs or As. #spycops
I understand that hearing was “paused“ while inquiry investigates what it calls a potential breach of a restriction order.
Does not seem to be an issue with Qs or As. #spycops
Journalists listening to #SpyCopsInquiry virtually are hearing audio with a 10-minute delay, so maybe something was said in the 10mins that has caused a problem with a restriction order.
There are zillions of restriction orders to protect identities of zillions of #spycops.
There are zillions of restriction orders to protect identities of zillions of #spycops.
Hearing still suspended.
But in his witness statement, #spycop “Dave Robertson” tells #SpyCopsInquiry: “I did not engage in any sexual activity whilst in my undercover identity. This would have been completely inappropriate.” #spycops
But in his witness statement, #spycop “Dave Robertson” tells #SpyCopsInquiry: “I did not engage in any sexual activity whilst in my undercover identity. This would have been completely inappropriate.” #spycops
Hearing resumes.
A distinctly miffed-sounding Sir John Mitting, #SpyCopsInquiry chairman, says that “Dave Robertson” did not breach any restriction order.
A claim that he did so from lawyers for a multitude of #spycops “should not have been made,” he adds severely.
A distinctly miffed-sounding Sir John Mitting, #SpyCopsInquiry chairman, says that “Dave Robertson” did not breach any restriction order.
A claim that he did so from lawyers for a multitude of #spycops “should not have been made,” he adds severely.
“Dave Robertson” to #SpyCopsInquiry: “Although in hindsight the Maoist groups may not actually have posed a particular threat, this may not have been understood at the time... it was also important for the police to have negative intelligence so as not to waste police resources.”
“Dave Robertson” tells #SpyCopsInquiry in his witness statement: “My SDS deployment ended in December 1973 when I was recognised at a meeting at the London School of Economics by a woman called Ethel...”
“Ethel said in a loud voice: ‘Here are Scotland Yard come to take us away,’“ says “Dave Robertson” to #SpyCopsInquiry.
“Not many people picked up on it, but I still made my excuses and left at the first opportunity.”
Diane Langford denied this yesterday.
“Not many people picked up on it, but I still made my excuses and left at the first opportunity.”
Diane Langford denied this yesterday.
https://twitter.com/MarkWatts_1/status/1386604891691438080
“Dave Robertson” tells #SpyCopsInquiry in his witness statement of an extraordinary meeting the following day “or very soon after” with the head of Special Branch, Vic Gilbert, and the Met’s deputy commissioner, Roland Watts... #spycops
“They came with a masterplan that if I was ever confronted about being a UCO, I should say that I was acting completely ‘off my own bat’ and that my superior officers were unaware of what I was doing…” says “Dave Robertson” to #SpyCopsInquiry.
#spycops
#spycops
“I was livid that they refused to take responsibility and walked away from them both,” says #spycop “Dave Robertson” to #SpyCopsInquiry about his extraordinary meeting with the head of Special Branch and Met’s no. 2 after he was rumbled.
#spycops
#spycops
“Dave Robertson” tells #SpyCopsInquiry: “I withdrew from all undercover activities... I never again made contact with the people I had known as a UCO.”
“People came and went in Maoist circles... I was not concerned that it would appear particularly suspicious.” #spycops
“People came and went in Maoist circles... I was not concerned that it would appear particularly suspicious.” #spycops
“Dave Robertson” denies to #SpyCopsInquiry Diane Langford’s account of how he was rumbled (see thread).
“I did not grab Ethel by the wrist.”
He “gave Ethel a hug and whispered in her ear” to ask her not to say who he was.
“I did not threaten Ethel.”
“I did not grab Ethel by the wrist.”
He “gave Ethel a hug and whispered in her ear” to ask her not to say who he was.
“I did not threaten Ethel.”
https://twitter.com/MarkWatts_1/status/1386604891691438080
Back on his meeting with Special Branch and Met chiefs, “Dave Robertson”: “They were really only concerned with how Special Branch could be protected.“
“I would have wanted some sympathy for my position, and I was certainly not expecting them to say what they did.”
“I would have wanted some sympathy for my position, and I was certainly not expecting them to say what they did.”
Sir John Mitting asks “Dave Robertson” whether he spoke to Ethel after bumping into her at the activists’ meeting where he was compromised.
“After that incident, I never saw her again,” he replies. #spycops
“After that incident, I never saw her again,” he replies. #spycops
Sir John Mitting tells “Dave Robertson” that he is free to go.
Phillippa Kaufmann, barrister for women deceived by #spycops into relationships, starts to ask for clarification.
Mitting says sharply: “I am not here to answer your questions.” He immediately adjourns for lunch.
Phillippa Kaufmann, barrister for women deceived by #spycops into relationships, starts to ask for clarification.
Mitting says sharply: “I am not here to answer your questions.” He immediately adjourns for lunch.
Second #spycop of the day, “Alex Sloan” on the virtual stand at #SpyCopsInquiry hearing.
He infiltrated the Irish National Liberation Solidarity Front in 1971, but being undercover was difficult. “You can remember the truth easily, but remembering your lies is very difficult.”
He infiltrated the Irish National Liberation Solidarity Front in 1971, but being undercover was difficult. “You can remember the truth easily, but remembering your lies is very difficult.”
“Alex Sloan” in his witness statement to #SpyCopsInquiry: he was “withdrawn due to a confrontation” at a meeting.
“Two members of the group stated that I was a ‘pig’. The only credible reaction was to grab one of the members of the group and escalate the situation.”
#spycops
“Two members of the group stated that I was a ‘pig’. The only credible reaction was to grab one of the members of the group and escalate the situation.”
#spycops
“Alex Sloan” to #SpyCopsInquiry: “I reported the incident to my managers and a decision was made to end my deployment. This was in 1971.
“I disappeared from my group.”
“It was unfortunate that I was placed in that group. They were very nervous about UCOs.”
#spycops
“I disappeared from my group.”
“It was unfortunate that I was placed in that group. They were very nervous about UCOs.”
#spycops
How did he react when confronted at INLSF?
“Alex Sloan”: “Am I incriminating myself here?”
David Barr, #SpyCopsInquiry counsel: Attorney Gen has undertaken not to prosecute anyone for anything said in evidence.
“Sloan”: “I didn’t touch him, I just threatened him.” #spycops
“Alex Sloan”: “Am I incriminating myself here?”
David Barr, #SpyCopsInquiry counsel: Attorney Gen has undertaken not to prosecute anyone for anything said in evidence.
“Sloan”: “I didn’t touch him, I just threatened him.” #spycops
And #SpyCopsInquiry hearing is suddenly cut again. Probably because of an issue that has arisen during the 10min gap between the hearing and the relayed audio feed.
#spycops
#spycops
Hearing for #SpyCopsInquiry resumes.
Sir John Mitting does not explain exactly why the suspension, saying: “It was a storm in a teacup,” and that everyone is learning as they go along.
Sir John Mitting does not explain exactly why the suspension, saying: “It was a storm in a teacup,” and that everyone is learning as they go along.
Sir John Mitting, #SpyCopsInquiry chairman, thanks “Alex Sloan”, saying: “It is fascinating to me listening to honest witnesses describing unusual events 50 years ago from slightly different points of view.”
Hearing resumes tomorrow. #spycops
Hearing resumes tomorrow. #spycops
Report of today’s #SpyCopsInquiry hearing in The Guardian: #spycop denies threatening the family of a woman if she exposed his fake identity. theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/a…
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