The #SpyCopsInquiry is starting again - you can watch this morning's session at
We will hear summaries of HN353 (who used the cover name 'Gary Roberts') and HN351.(who used the cover name 'Jeff Slater').
Neither man will be providing any evidence in person.
Neither man will be providing any evidence in person.
HN353 used the name 'Gary Roberts' ( this identity was stolen from a deceased child).
He was deployed undercover in the spring of 1974, to infiltrate first (the Finsbury Park branch of) the International Socialists (IS) and then (the South East London branch of) the International Marxist Group (IMG).
You can also read HN353's full witness statement now – at ucpi.org.uk/publications/f…
He started in the SDS back office, before being deployed himself.
He enrolled at Thames Polytechnic in his cover name, and became vice president of the student union
He enrolled at Thames Polytechnic in his cover name, and became vice president of the student union
His involvement with the IMG began in late 1975, and he remained a member of the group until his deployment ended, in around June 1978.
He now thinks that he may have been tasked with infiltrating the IMG as a replacement for HN338
It seems likely that some of the reports relating to IMG meetings and members in SE London were written by HN338, and some by HN353. There is some dispute about this. HN353 says that the bulk of his reports are missing from what is now being made available to the Inquiry.
He attended various large protests, and says most of his reporting on public order issues seems to be missing.
There is just one report of him attending one demo during the summer of 1974 – a small National Abortion Campaign demo
There is just one report of him attending one demo during the summer of 1974 – a small National Abortion Campaign demo
He recalls being charged by mounted police at a demo, and experiencing violence between right-wing groups and anti-fascists. But no property damage.
“I would hoover up everything” he said about his reporting style.
He would include the political content of meetings, as he knew the security services found this interesting
He would include the political content of meetings, as he knew the security services found this interesting
HN353 now says: “The IMG were strong in words, but in hindsight, I think they were not really likely to act on them”
You can read a summary HN353 on pages 137-148 Appendix 2 of the Counsel to the Inquiry's opening statement of two weeks ago – see
ucpi.org.uk/publications/c…
#spycops
ucpi.org.uk/publications/c…
#spycops
He does recognise the name 'Mary', which appears in several of his reports. Richard Chessum (who we'll hear from later this morning) and Piers Corbyn are also mentioned.
He says that he did not engage in any criminal activity, did not have any intimate/ sexual relationships with activists, did not join a trade union.
Read more on pages 148-153 of the Appendix about this next officer:
HN351 used the name 'Jeff' or 'Geoff Slater' ( this identity was stolen from a deceased child).
HN351 used the name 'Jeff' or 'Geoff Slater' ( this identity was stolen from a deceased child).
He was provided with a cover vehicle and documentation as well as a cover flat.
He spent some time in the SDS back-office but given no formal training.
He spent some time in the SDS back-office but given no formal training.
He says he wasn't given specific guidance about what information to collect. The first report we have from HN351 is dated August 1974, and the last March 1975.
He does not remember enough to comment on these reports – he didn't type them up himself. He attended various demonstrations to make contact with activists.
He recalls that IS were viewed as a 'subversive' group “organising to bring about the fall of the State and they would use any means available to achieve this, including violence”
He alleges that IS members used violence, but says he never took part in any himself.
There is a report from November 1974 which mentioned IS getting involved in industrial action. He denies getting involved in any trade unions during his deployment.
Some of the groups he spied on were campaigning for racial and sexual equality. His reports also cover global political issues, the Irish situation, plans for protests and educational classes, and personal information about group members
He says he did not get particularly close to any of the activists, or form any sexual relationships during his (relatively short) deployment.
His deployment ended in the spring of 1975. We are told that this was at his request, as he found the work to be “debilitating and exhausting, both mentally and physically” and did not think he was suitable for it. He spent some time working in the SDS back office after this.
You can also read HN351's full witness statement now – at ucpi.org.uk/publications/f…
The Inquiry also told us a little about HN297, HN300 and HN13, as they will be publishing documents related to these #spycops today as well, and we'll be hearing more about them later in the week.
HN297 – aka 'Rick Gibson' (real name Richard Clark) - spied on this morning's next witness, Richard Chessum, and 'Mary', among others.
You can read more about HN297 on pages 153-171 of the Appendix.
HN300 adopted the name 'Jim Pickford' in order to infiltrate a number of groups, including anarchist ones. You can read more about him on pages 175-180 of the Appendix
HN13 used the name 'Desmond Barry Loader' and you can read about him on pages 180-184 of the Appendix
That is the Appendix to the Counsel to the Inquiry's opening statement - which is available at ucpi.org.uk/publications/c…
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