Thread by @MarkWatts_1

Day 6 of phase 2 of #SpyCopsInquiry.

Piers Corbyn, activist and brother of Jeremy Corbyn.

Ernest Rodker, anti-apartheid campaigner and one of several who may have been victim of miscarriage of justice over protest against British Lions rugby tour to South Africa in 1972.

Piers Corbyn, an activist since his student days, says in witness statement to #SpyCopsInquiry that it has disclosed 53 #spycops reports from 1971 to 1990 that mention his name.

But he believes that the reports “are only a fraction” of Special Branch and MI5 files on him.

Piers Corbyn tells #SpyCopsInquiry that he was a student at Imperial College from 1965, became a member of International Marxist Group in 1971 and was active in the squatting movement from about 1972.

At least eight #spycops reported on him between 1968 and 1983.

Piers Corbyn tells #SpyCopsInquiry: “We all assumed that some form of monitoring or surveillance of our activities was likely.“

“The fact that these undercover officers infiltrated our organisations on a long-term basis, and in such an intrusive way, is a shock.”

Parts of Ernest Rodker’s witness statement is being read out to #SpyCopsInquiry by his son, Oli.

Ernest Rodker is 83 and is said, by the inquiry, to be in poor health.

He says that he interacted with at least six #spycops when he was a campaigner, esp against apartheid.

Two Special Branch reports of 1976 has “very personal information about the birth of one of my children and a health condition of mine,” Ernest Rodker tells #SpyCopsInquiry.

“I find it sinister and invasive, and it troubles me greatly to learn of it, even after all this time.”

Ernest Rodker to #SpyCopsInquiry: he was one of several convicted of obstruction of the highway over a demo in 1972 to try to stop the British Lions’ rugby team leaving a hotel in Richmond for a tour to South Africa.

One of those convicted was #spycop ‘Michael Scott’. #spycops

Special Branch reports “appear to show that ‘Michael Scott’ knew that most of those arrested were not guilty,” Ernest Rodker tells #SpyCopsInquiry.

“‘Michael Scott’ could have given evidence about the location of the demonstration,” but continued pretending to be a protestor.

Ernest Rodker to #SpyCopsInquiry: “I was very concerned to learn, many decades later, that an undercover police officer was involved in the demonstration, was arrested with me and stood in court with me & others.”

#Spycop ‘Michael Scott’ was one of 14 people arrested.

#spycops

“I am concerned that it appears that neither I, my co-accused, our lawyers, the prosecution or the court were made aware of ‘Michael Scott’s’ true identity,” Ernest Rodker tells #SpyCopsInquiry about #spycop who was convicted with him.

#spycops

“He may have been able to give significant evidence… and that evidence would have been more credible had it been known that he was a serving police officer,” Ernest Rodker to #SpyCopsInquiry.

#spycops

Ernest Rodker to #SpyCopsInquiry: #spycop ‘Michael Scott’ had access to material subject to legal professional privilege.

“I am concerned that this officer appears to have been involved in discussions within the group… about how to deal with the prosecution.”

#spycops

Sir John Mitting, #SpyCopsInquiry chairman: “I will do my best” to consider “promptly” whether Ernest Rodker’s conviction arising from this demonstration “was, at least arguably, a miscarriage of justice” and if so to refer it to the relevant panel.

#spycops

Subverting justice?

Perverting the course of justice?

So, who are the criminals here?

Uncomfortable questions about the Met and its #spycops that #SpyCopsInquiry has to answer.

Report on today’s hearing.
theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/a…