Thread by @copscampaign

The #spycopsinquiry starts again soon.
You can watch this morning's proceedings at
morning

Today's hearing is devoted to the evidence of just one man: Geoffrey Craft.
Also known as HN34.

You can download his witness statements from the @ucpinquiry website...

@ucpinquiry He supplied a very long one (60 pages) in December 2020 -
ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
and a second one in Februaryy of this year
ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…

@ucpinquiry He was asked about the training he had received – he confirmed that this covered a police officer's powers when it came to search, seizure and entry – but says there was nothing about how this also applied to undercover officers.

#SpyCops

@ucpinquiry There was no training about equalities or human rights legislation. He does recall training in the 'Peelian principles' of policing (which we've heard about a few times this week.

@ucpinquiry When asked, he spoke about the police's role in a parliamentary democracy but denied ever considering whether the public would have any qualms about the level of intrusion of the #spycops operation.

@ucpinquiry Did he consider that these SDS operations would command the respect of the public?
Yes
Why?
It was supporting their lifestyle and freedoms.

@ucpinquiry He recollects moving into the SDS in 1974, when Derek Brice (yesterday's witness) left – before this he had been doing protection work.
At this time, Derek Kneale was being promoted.

@ucpinquiry According to his written statement:
There was no 'role description' beyond being Derek Kneale's Number 2. If Kneale was away, Craft would act up - “ranks were not important, unlike in the uniformed branch” he recalls.

@ucpinquiry He doesn't remember much changing when he moved up to the Number 1 spot himself (with Barry Moss as his Number 2) towards the end (Nov) of 1976 – this was due to Kneale being promoted.

@ucpinquiry Asked today:
He doesn't recall anything about a meeting with the security services in 1977, when he introduced them to his successor, Ken Pryde, who “came off A Squad”.

@ucpinquiry He learnt about the SDS through discussions with Kneale when he joined the unit.

He insisted that the SDS's primary role was to provide intelligence on public order, with the intelligence they gathered on subversive activities being a “secondary role”.

@ucpinquiry Did Kneale explain the relationship with the Security Service in detail?
“I don't think he did; I think we both understood it”
He already knew about this because of his experience in the Branch.

@ucpinquiry And A8?
The information we collected was “vital for A8 in their policing of public order”
What about B and C Squads?
He says C Squad were responsible for supplying A8 with threat assessments, they would request info from the SDS everything went through them.

@ucpinquiry He said that at the time there were less Irish-related public order issues and mentioned the Troops Out Movement.

@ucpinquiry He was asked about the use of deceased children's identities and denied any knowledge of how this practice had started.

@ucpinquiry Was Richard Clark HN297 already in the unit or did you recruit him?
Not personally, no, but I was involved in “assisting his undercover background”.

He doesn't recall Clark's reputation as a 'womaniser' (or “carnivore” in one witness's words).

@ucpinquiry Yes, of course” he was involved in recruiting HN300.

How does he recall Clark?
He describes him as getting along/ mixing well with the others, “affable” and “social”.

HN300 was “funny” and an “interesting character”, and “looked absolutely nothing like a police officer”.

@ucpinquiry He didn't see anything that made either man unsuitable for undercover work.

@ucpinquiry Looking at the Inquiry's timeline, the following officers were all recruited during his time in the SDS: HN13, HN296, HN304, HN354 (Vince Harvey) and possibly HN80

@ucpinquiry He was asked to explain why the majority of SDS officers were married – in his view this was because of the “stability” of their normal lives.

@ucpinquiry ...adding that they were “all trained from Day 1 as probationary policemen that sexual activity on duty was putting oneself on the line for dismissal” - he says it just was not on and therefore never discussed.

@ucpinquiry Does he remember discussing creating a fake identity with HN304?
No

Do you remember advising officers to visit the area where those deceased children came from?
No

@ucpinquiry Do you know if the regional crime squad used this same tactic?
No

Did you help Richard Clark create his fake identity?

@ucpinquiry Did you check and test these cover identities at all?
We just discussed them.

Did you consider the legality of this?
“No, I Assumed it was legal” he responded, saying he had no recollection one officer who raised concerns (HN80).
“He certainly didn't talk to me about it”

@ucpinquiry Asked about the utility of the tactic, he said it provided a “safe base” to build the fake identity from.

In those days it was not possible to insert a false entry in the Births register.

@ucpinquiry Did he consider the chance of the bereaved family ever finding out?
“Sadly to say, at the time I didn't” - going on to say that his views had changed since...

@ucpinquiry He now thinks the family had suffered enough from the death of the child and recognising that this might have exarcebated their grief.

@ucpinquiry He said to him it was unconceivable that this tactic would ever come to light – as the unit was intended to remain top-secret – so he didn't worry about the families finding out.

@ucpinquiry He recalls going to a South London pub with Kneale to keep an observation on Richard Clark at the time when he was challenged about activists' discovery of a death certificate for 'Rick Gibson' (the name he had stolen).

@ucpinquiry He was withdrawn after this; it was felt that these suspicions would always hang over him.

Looking back he is amazed that the activists found this death certificate, as the Births and Deaths registers were kept separate. It wasn't easy to go through these records

@ucpinquiry Did Clark's compromise make you reconsider the #spycops use of this tactic?
No

Did you reconsider the risk of the family finding out?
No

@ucpinquiry Craft had told the Inquiry that he didn't know about Clark engaging in sexual relationships while undercover.

@ucpinquiry If Clark had told him that one of these women was involved in his compromise, what would he have done about it?

Removed him from the field, and reconsidered his future in the police.

@ucpinquiry Would he have been subject to disciplinary action? asked the Chair

“We were operating in a top-secret area” so Craft can't say what the outcome of this might have been.

@ucpinquiry He does not recall the black folder or any other written guidance, or any formal training.

@ucpinquiry ucpi.org.uk/publications/a…
We saw the 1983 Annual Report - does this match your recollection about targeting?

@ucpinquiry According to Craft, some decisions were made by C Squad
a “major support service” for C Squad's threat assessment work.

@ucpinquiry The ultimate authority would have been with the SDS Chief Inspector as he was responsible for his officers – although C Squad's CI would also have had some say.

@ucpinquiry Special Branch's senior operational officers had what they called “Morning Prayers” - meetings between Commander Ops and the various Chief Superintendents.

@ucpinquiry Did he consider alternative ways of collecting intelligence about a group?
“Not on S Squad” - that would have been down to C Squad, he replied.

@ucpinquiry Did they ever consider whether the level of intrusion was appropriate and proportionate?
Not really, no.

@ucpinquiry Was there any kind of review process once a deployment was underway?
Nothing specific, no

@ucpinquiry He referred to what he'd said before – about one organisation being especially easy to enter (the SWP) which could then serve as a 'stepping stone' to infiltrate others.

@ucpinquiry Did you regard the SWP as a possible source of public disorder?
Yes
So it wasn't purely a stepping stone, but a target in its own right?
Yes
How did they compare to other groups for this?
They were the large group so could bring bigger numbers of people

@ucpinquiry How often did they receive specific requests for officers to attend specific meetings?
Seldom

@ucpinquiry How important was the Cold War to what you were doing?

He talked about Soviet influence – and the Communist Party infiltrating trade unions”

@ucpinquiry He admitted that most groups on the ultra Left did not have the support of foreign powers in the way the CPGB had, not even the Maoists, for all their support of Chairman Mao

(or anyone who looked to Albania's dictator – which Barr suggested was “not in the same league”)

@ucpinquiry There was some contact with the Security Services but he says this was “minimal”.
ucpi.org.uk/publications/s…
We saw notes made by the Security Service following a meeting in January 1976

@ucpinquiry Paragraph 5 suggests a question from Sussex police being “parried” and suggests that other forces knew about the existence of the @metpolice 'secret' #spycops unit..

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice It sounds like “the cat had got out of the bag as to SDS's existence to regional Special Branches” suggested Barr
“That is new to me and I am surprised” - “I thought we kept it pretty close”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Was there much telephone contact?
Not on S squad.
What about the SDS?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice We've seen references to drinks after other such meetings
Did you sometimes socialise with members of the Security Service?
Craft doesn't remember meeting them in a pub at this stage of his career.
Although this is something he did after his involvement with the #SpyCops

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice He said they didn't often receive requests directly from the Security Services

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice ucpi.org.uk/publications/a…
This document was sent out in 1970 and included proposed terms of reference for Special Branch activities.

Barr moved on to question him about 'subversion' and what he understood as the definition of this.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Did his understanding change over these years?
No

We saw ucpi.org.uk/publications/l…
This was a new definition which included “threatening the safety and well-being of the State” and referring to “industrial militancy”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice ucpi.org.uk/publications/s…
This next report was signed by Barry Moss

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice ucpi.org.uk/publications/d… This document suggests a further revision to the definition, suggesting that even groups currently operating within the law could now be considered to be 'subversive'.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice “We were operating in that way anyway” - Craft said they relied on the Security Services for guidance about these things.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice We saw another Circular sent to Chief Constable in December 1975
ucpi.org.uk/publications/l…
This asked them to send in any information they had about subversive activities in schools

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Craft says he has no direct recollection of School Kids against the Nazis – he remembers a little about left wing groups in schools but nothing about right wing activities.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Did he consider any “sensitivities” about reporting on children?
No
We were dealing with public order

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Do you think you received enough training about subversion?

Craft says he felt well-informed enough – he knew what was subversive and what wasn't – it would depend on the group's aims – he also referred to some groups “infiltrating industrial disputes”.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice We moved on to the process of reporting.
Did you phone A8 if something was urgent?
It usually went through C Squad

Craft recalled the SDS covering the office during weekends so sometimes an SDS officer would contact a uniformed 'Special Branch Liason Officer'

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice What did the SDS intelligence contribute?
They knew about the aims and intentions of revolutionary groups so could help advise about the likelihood of them 'infiltrating' other groups and demos.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice They could assess the likelihood of a problem and explain who was behind the trouble.

He went on to talk about how the SDS officers were able to phone useful information in immediately from the location of the demonstration.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Could the police not have found out a great deal from speaking to organisers, seeing posters?

He admitted that C Squad and A8 could have learnt a lot, and discussed more between themselves.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Why did SB want reports on individuals?
Because the Security Service wanted these – they were frequently in touch asking for updates on people – C Squad kept such details on file to avoid too much duplication of work, according to him.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice We've heard from other witnesses about an 'unfiltered' approach to gathering information and including it in reports

Craft described how these reports were collated and typed up in the office and then passed on to C Squad for other people to analyse and assess.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice A lot of personal data remains on file now, decades later
Is it fair to say that very little filtering went on?
Craft: “I think you're probably right, yes”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice We heard about examples of the kind of personal data collected on file – including details of pregnancies, health conditions, bank accounts, infidelity, activists' children, sexuality and much more.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Would this intelligence have been used for vetting?
Craft claimed that Special Branch's only vetting responsibility had concerned Irish groups; the rest was done by the Security Services.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Mitting had one more thing he wanted to ask about before the break – 34701
ucpi.org.uk/publications/d… Barr read out the definition in this Home Office discussion paper.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Mitting asked if there was - during Craft's time as head of the SDS or S Squad - any infiltration of groups or individuals operating within the law, who posed no risk to public order, but whose long-term aim included the “overthrow of parliamentary democracy” ?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice Craft: "I don't think so, sir"

After this the #SpyCopsInquiry took its first break of the day.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice See some reactions to today's witness from @tombfowler and @evelinelubbers at twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

#SpyCops

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers We saw the 1977 Annual Report
ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
Craft was given a moment to read the description of peaceful industrial action at the Grunwick dispute at para 19 on page 11.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Barr then looked at the next page and read some of this report out loud – about this long-running dispute being “taken up by the ultra Left” in the summer months

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers The SDS claim to have been able to provide “invaluable information” about these groups tactics and numbers which was passed to A8 and so “prevented an embarrassing and effective tactic”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Is this intelligence that could have been collected by other officers/ in other ways?
Craft: No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers The next document related to the 'Battle of Lewisham'
ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
- a report about the demo, and the Communist Party of England M-L

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers It describes splitting into two groups – one group would do propaganda work at e station and the others would wait at Tanners Hill to 'ambush' the National Front

It also refers to them listening in to police radio.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Craft agrees that this shows how valuable the SDS reports were – although everyone knew that activists could listen to police radio.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers We saw the Annual Report again
It includes information about SWP members occupying an empty house opposite Clifton Rise overnight on 12th August – this was raided by uniform police thereby "preventing a planned and premeditated act of violence”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
This next report lists many of the mistakes made by the police at Lewisham
for example
it says the whole area should have been sealed off earlier, before the left wing turned up.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Mounted police were an excellent target for missiles
“Left wing supporters were allowed to roam free” due to a lack of officers.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Craft admitted that there was a sense that the uniformed police could have paid more attention to SDS's intelligence and done a better job of policing on the day

He says “A8 didn't love us very much” for this critical report but it was important for these issues to be addressed.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers We moved on to the SDS unit's operational security

What is meant by “ultimate defence line” (which must be protected)?
What did the police fear most about the SDS unit being exposed?
The likely “attack upon the police by the media” Craft responded.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers So, an embarrassment for the @metpolice Commisioner?

Craft claimed he always kept in mind the police's responsibilities; he had to balance this with the demands of the Security Services.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers How did he square this with entering homes under false pretences?
“I certainly never saw that as illegal” - “I'm no lawyer” he said

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He thought that he got to know his officers well – they met twice a week at the safe houses and he knew about their families as well as their undercover work.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Talking about the stress of the job, someone else suggested that the #spycops were given more latitude” than others?
Craft doesn't agree with this, but recalls the unit being informal, there was laughing and joking and a relaxed atmosphere in the safe houses.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He does not recall any 'jokes' about officers' sexual attractions, any banter that suggested they were engaging in sexual relationships, and definitely not the comment about a woman “biting the pillow again”.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He does not recall any specific guidance being given to the #spycops about this.
He didn't consider there was a risk of this happening.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Even though he agreed that they were pretending to be single men, and infiltrating groups with “sexually permissive attitudes” Did he consider the temptation to act in this way to bolster their cover and allay suspicions?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Did he think it would improve the intelligence they could gather?
No

Craft insists these thoughts never entered his mind at the time.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He says that with hindsight “it should have been introduced right from the beginning” - maybe it would have helped if he had spoken to them about this.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers If he didn't say anything, how would his officers have known not to behave like this?
He says it was a standard part of being a police officer

Was he known as a disciplinarian when it came to this issue?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers In his written statement he mentioned the various risks of such relationships – to the officer's family – he confirmed that he meant the risk of a sexually transmitted infection or the break-up of the marriage.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers However he doesn't mention the risk to the woman who was being deceived?

His response:
“I'm not happy about it, but what is the alternative?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Going on to say
"Because accepting that rape is not involved, does all sexual activity... require a legally endorsed exchange of CVs before sexual activity takes place”

He went on more, to say it was wrong, but how could he prevent it?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He says now that he would apologise to the women for the actions of his officers – asked about contrition levels, “I'm very sad it happened”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Next we heard about Richard Clark again.
He was sent to infiltrate the Troops Out Movement and students at Goldsmiths in SE London. He wasn't given any specific instructions about how to behave around these young women.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Craft admits that he didn't consider the risks at the time and insists he had no idea that Clark had this reputation of being a 'womaniser'.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He insists that he had no idea about 'Rick' (or any other #spcyops officer) engaging in sexual relationships during their deployment.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers The Inquiry moved on to HN300. Can Craft recall him being withdrawn?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Barr: he explained to another police officer that he was 'falling in love with an activist' and this was relayed to Inspector McIntosh – HN300 was then removed from the SDS as a result.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Craft says he is very confused about this, because of course he would have known about this, but doesn't remember anything about it.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He is confused because he remembers his number 2 as being someone called Lesley Lillinggale – and Barry Moss being there too.
He doesn't remember Angus McIntosh at all

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Pressed by the Inquiry all he could say was that he knew nothing at all about this matter and this officer's removal.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Moving on to Vince Harvey, who he managed in the first part of his deployment, from 1976 onwards.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers If you'd known that his long-term relationship had ended, would this have concerned you?
Craft says he would have had a chat with Vince, to check that he was happy to continue serving in the field.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He says he was “amazed to learn” about the sexual relationships including those that Vince had – which he only heard about due to this Inquiry

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Barr wanted to ask him more about a 'paradox' in his evidence...

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Craft has always insisted that the normal rules for police conduct continued to apply to the #spycops when considering these relationships – how come he doesn't view the expectations of police conduct concerning things like trespass and the power of entry in the same way?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He recalls that “trespass in itself is not an offence” - this is correct – not a criminal offence – treated as a civil wrong - but obviously finds it hard to justify this anomaly

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He admits that normally police need a warrant to enter people's homes or premises, but for some reason seems to have failed to think of this at all when it came to the SDS

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers Standard police practice was that informants were not allowed to initiate crimes or take part in major crimes. He says this was the approach they applied to the SDS.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers He was asked more about officers being advised not to take up positions of responsibility in the groups they were infiltrating...

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers In his written statement he said this was a “matter of discussion”
Craft now explained they were “not keen” as if the officers were involved at a “senior level” and therefore could be said to be initiating anything, it might place the police "in jeopardy”.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers In some groups this might not be an issue but they always discussed it with management in order to “find a solution” - alluding to some situations....

AT THIS POINT PROCEEDINGS WERE PAUSED TO INVESTIGATE A POSSIBLE BREACH OF A RESTRICTION ORDER

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers We are not allowed to tell you about what was said between 12:23 and 12:33 – the problem is we don't have a record of exactly what was happening at that time – but we're about to stop for lunch now, unexpectedly early.

Geoffrey Craft is told not to feel guilty for messing up.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers watch some more live reaction from the #SpyCopsInquiry
this time it's @tombfowler and @robevansgdn from the 'Guardian'
twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…
#spycops

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The bits we ARE allowed to tell you about Craft's evidence before lunch:

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He really didn't want to agree that #spycops taking positions of responsibility in the groups they were spying on was anti-democratic in any way – only going so far as to say that this level of intrusion could be “uncomfortable”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn So police informants are not allowed to participate in 'serious' criminality...
What did he consider 'serious' when it came to crime and disorder?
Craft: Things that caused 'serious damage' for example.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He recognised that officers might sometimes take part in “rowdy” situations and public disorder, and even commit acts of violence – with the justification that this could aid their cover – but again said they shouldn't cause too much 'damage”

(eg punch anyone too hard)

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He admits that this was left to the individual #spycops judgement; he didn't provide them with much guidance – in his opinion they were (professional) police officers so could be trusted to get on with it.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We're returning from lunch soon to hear more from Geoffrey Craft aka HN34 - you'll be able to listen in via Youtube from 1405 onwards -

#spycops
#spycopsinquiry

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We started again...

If you'd known about Richard Clark's rise to fairly high office in the Troops Out Movement (TOM) including becoming the Convenor of the national secretariat, would you have approved?
No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Vince Harvey (HN54) said that becoming both Treasurer and Secretary of SWP branches was a “fantastic opportunity” - do you agree?
“Yes, it clearly gave him access to all the membership” said Craft

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We heard about another officer, HN13, who was arrested and prosecuted on two occasions, and looked at page 12 of
ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn This concerned an anti-fascist march from Ilford to Barking in September 1977 – HN13 was taking part alongside his supposed 'comrades' and arrested under the Public Order Act.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The case was said to be complicated by the arresting officer having served with this undercover years earlier.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn There were concerns about him recognising him at the Magistrates Court, blowing his cover, so Craft went along to Barking Magistrates for a conversation with this arresting officer.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Craft cannot recall everything about this incident, or actually talking to the arresting Constable, but was able to confirm that he spoke to the court clerk, and the magistrate, at the court..

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He says he told them that the arrestee was working undercover, and needed to maintain his cover in front of his 'comrades' throughout the court case.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The police's report suggests that the court has been told that the @metpolice are keen to safeguard this defendant from a prison sentence.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn According to these documents from 1978, signed by Pryde,”throughout this trial contact was maintained with a court official” who was helpful. Craft says he remembers going to the court and meeting this person, but isn't sure when this happened...

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn – it therefore sounds like it might have been in 1977, before the trial took place, while he was still in the SDS, but it is unclear.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The next question was about HN12, prosecuted for flyposting.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Then we moved on to talk about the #spycops wives
Did you always visit the wives of the new SDS recruits?
No

What was your involvement with your officers' wives?
They had an annual Xmas dinner event which they were invited to

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Although he said that a lot of care and attention was paid to the officers' well-being, he admitted that there was no ongoing monitoring of the officers' home lives, no concrete steps taken to take care of their wives...

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn In hindsight he agrees that more care could have been paid to this, and says that doing this job inevitably had an impact on the officers' wives

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Was he concerned about the effect of a lengthy deployment on an officer's well-being?

Yes,
but not because of any risk to his family life, or an increased risk of transgression,

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Why was four years a standard length?
That it took them a while to get used to the role and become “productive”
But the longer they stayed, the more likely they'd “lose touch” with the rest of the Branch
it could affect their future career.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He says that in more recent times, looking back, he's come to realise that 4 years may have been too long.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
The unit's 1974 Report (plus covering letter) mentions the case

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Barr then moved on to page 13 of the same Report
and read out para 20, concerning the death of Kevin Gately in Red Lion Square on 15th June 1974.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Craft agreed that he was in the SDS on this date. He can't remember if he wrote this description or not.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Do you know if the SDS passed on warnings before this counter-demonstration took place about the possibility of large numbers attending and disorder?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He reckons the SDS definitely had #spycops in many of the left wing organisations involved in this anti-fascist counter-demo, but says he can't tell us precisely what intelligence the unit was able to contribute, or how they did so.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Who did he think usually initiated the trouble – the far right or the far left?
He says a bit of both.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He agreed that the far right were acting lawfully in terms of holding meetings – which were then disrupted by the left-wing – what about the other way around?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He seems surprised at the concept of the far-right also disrupting lawful events, and says he can't be sure where the line lay between legal and illegal

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We looked at page 15 of the 1974 Report – para 28
This part of the report was about the WRP – described as a “highly disciplined organisation” that has not so far caused much public disorder.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The report is about their role in industrial disputes, and Craft openly states that this was for the benefit of the Security Services.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He said it was 'essential' that intelligence was collected about extreme groups at both ends of the spectrum if the police were to successfully keep the peace between them.
Yes, he did offer the SDS's services for this purpose.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn An SDS officer did infiltrate the National Front briefly in 1975, but accidentally.

Craft said the SDS functioned as a support service for C Squad - it was very much up to them to decide if they wanted the right-wing groups to be infiltrated by #spycops

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn When it came to anti-racist/ anti-fascist groups:
Those who cooperated with the police were of no concern.
Those who didn't were seen as a problem.
Craft says he wrote this himself, and believes it to be true

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Barr wanted to explore this further...

Anti-Apartheid movement is known to have been reported on, before Craft's time.
Why was this done, in his opinion? They weren't controlled by the ultra Left were they?
No, but at one time they were involved in disorder and criminal damage.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Were they really a big threat? Asked Barr

Craft referenced the direct action they took against the South African sports tours – the Stop the Seventy Tour – and says the police needed to know about this.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He admits this group were run by Young Liberals, rather than 'ultra Left' types, but it was very thoroughly infiltrated.

He said the police needed to know what their next move would be, and justified some of the surveillance because of their earlier 'reputation' for disorder.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The 1976 Annual Report ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl… mentioned the Troops Out Movement - TOM

Barr read an extract and asked more about the claim that "much useful information has been obtained" about TOM

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn It wasn't seeking to overthrow the State, was it?
No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn And it wasn't really a public order threat was it?

Craft says as an umbrella movement, they thought it might be infiltrated or 'manipulated' by the 'ultra Left', or attract Irish Republican support...
in his view it was better to infiltrate them “just in case”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Asked if this was the SDS's usual thinking, he confirmed that “we tried to be ahead of the game, certainly"

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Creamer painted a benign picture of some of the anarchist groups, eg the Freedom Press

Asked about anarchist groups, Craft said he was “happy to bow to Roy Creamer's expert knowledge” rather than attempt to distinguish between the various groups- it was “quite beyond me”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We looked at page 4 para 7 of the same document - about Big Flame.
This is the year when Richard Clark was compromised.
They are described as a “sinister” organisation, containing "well-educated" people with links to the Angry Brigade...

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn They are also credited with 'practical ingenuity in the field of security consciousness – they have “more to hide” and “more to fear” from the police

Did he ever find out what they were hiding?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The police were suspicious of them, but admit there was no known illegality.
Craft is “hesitant” to talk more about that para now

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Barr read out more from the Report – did those who compiled threat assessments use what is known as 'Immediate' and 'background' intelligence?
Craft doesn't comment.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn In the 3rd para on page 13, there's a bit that suggests the SDS was engaged in “constant review” - referring to a small working party, more effective use of personnel, saying that the current 12 deployments are the minimum required to gather the necessary level of intelligence

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn This working party was the only formal review that Craft can recall.
So this was the only review being done – points out Barr – the report was an exageration surely?
“I think it's painting a slightly strong picture” admitted Craft

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We see some more documents from 1976-77 - including a letter of thanks from Lancashire police relating to a demo that took place in Blackburn in September 1976

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Another letter of appreciation was shown: ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Then we heard about the Watts working party
ucpi.org.uk/publications/m…

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Why couldn't the police just monitor open sources and talk to the protestors – why was the SDS needed?

he claimed that these undercover tactics were essential because the people they were spying on would never have told the police what they were up to.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He insists that the SDS made a considerable difference to the policing of public order.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn t is said that 26 officers had now been reduced to 12 – where did that number come from? Perhaps from a report written by Conrad Dixon?
Craft can't help the Inquiry with this question but admits the figure may have been inaccurate

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn There is a theme of these Reports being written with the aim of continuing the funding for the SDS

The benefits for the Security Service is described as 'off-spin'
Craft repeats that the primary purpose was public order

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Did all the Operational Squads benefit from the SDS's assistance, or was it just C Squad?
Craft: Very little for B Squad, E Squad – not much, it was mostly C Squad

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn “Accurate, timely intelligence was vital for proportionate policing and for keeping the peace”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn In his written statement he remembers the Commisioner visiting the SDS while he was running the unit – he visited the safe house, met the undercovers, ate lunch with them,
“it was good for morale” Craft says

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He can't recall how long the visit lasted.
“He was chatting to everybody”
There was no formal feedback but Craft felt that they all enjoyed the visit.
No concerns were raised with him

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We moved to 1979, and the demo at Southall when Blair Peace was killed.
Was it Craft who instructed one of the undercovers to attend the funeral?
He doubts it but is unsure

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He agrees that the death and inquest were “bad news for the Met police” - the inquest found that Peach had been killed by a police officer.
Did the SDS take a special interest in the campaign?
Only in that it would have been wise to keep an eye on them in case of disorder.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn There were some questions about dates, and his promotion in early summer 1981 – to run S Squad - did he stay in that role until 1984? He's not totally sure.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn This meant he had oversight of the SDS – he says he made occasional visits to the office and to officers in the field.
He calls it a “fairly close” relationship

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What sort of things did you discuss with your officers?

Craft:Just general stuff – were there any problems? Welfare issues?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What about new officers? Were you involved in discussing deployments?
Probably not – Craft claims this would probably have been a conversation between the SDS and C Squad

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What was the concern about CND?
Obviously a male officer couldn't have infiltrated the women's peace camp at Greenham – in Craft's words, they needed “a lady” for this – he claims this is the only time that the SDS had any interest in CND

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn However the Inquiry knows that HN65 infiltrated CND itself

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What about animal rights – why were you interested in spying on them?
Craft talked about firebombs, attacks on research centres, “quite akin to terrorism”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He went on to say that he thought this whole thing “started with one policeman in Essex who was keeping an index” and the Branch took this over, realising the movement was “dangerous”.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Why was he invited to a party with the Security Services?
He agrees that he can see why the SS might have been keen to 'schmooze' him but says he has no recollection at all.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What about the Home Office? Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn The Inquiry notes that Craft signs off on every single Annual Report produced about the SDS in this era – why did he endorse them in such glowing terms?
Craft: Because it was true

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn You knew that these Reports went to the Home Office, and helped to secure continued funding for the unit?
Yes
He believed the unit's work was valuable.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He thinks he met the Home Secretary, Sir Kenneth Newman, to brief him and the Commissioner before they went to visit the SDS safe house and meet the officers.

Craft doesn't think the Home Secretary knew about the undercovers who were arrested, the misconduct, the issues...

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn there was another 15 min break called at this point

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We know that several #spycops infiltrated the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP) but these deployments ended during Craft's watch – does he recall why?

He doesn't, but imagines they were no longer considered a threat to public order.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
Signed off by Craft, this was sent to Commander Ops
'Michael Hartley' (HN12) and another person (another member of the RCG) were arrested for flyposting in Holloway Rd, at the behest of an RCG front organisation, the Irish Solidarity Movement.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Does he remember this case?
No
Does he recall any consideration of the fairness of this other RCG member being prosecuted?
No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Barr asked him more about other officers who were serving at this time – HN67? No
Mike Chitty? Vaguely, yes.
HN106? “Just”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Did Craft know there were concerns about HN106 having a girlfriend, and sleeping with another woman?
No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What about HN126?
Hear about him being close to a female activist?
No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What about HN155?
Can Craft tell us anything about his character in relation to women?
Nothing

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn When he was Chief Superintendent, some of the #spycops held “significant positions” within the SWP – does he remember HN155 getting into their headquarters? #
And being able to access the Party's membership lists and lots of other confidential information?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn No, he thinks the SDS had someone else in that sort of position – he's probably thinking of HN80.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn If you knew someone was taking or copying documents from their headquarters, would you have considered it proper or improper?

Craft: "Proper" – he was able to answer this question very promptly.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He would have totally approved of these officers' actions and seen their work as very valuable.

He agreed that this was a “jolly good thing”, he didn't think these officers did anything illegal

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We then saw Special Branch's 1979 Annual Report [MPS-0727595] which doesn't seem to have been published on the @ucpinquiry site yet
It contains some statistics about vetting inquiries and reports

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn There were almost 3000 enquiries "for Box 500" – does he remember what this would have been?
He began answering but dried up.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He remembers that there were a lot of vetting requests – looking into the background of individuals – and confirms that Registry Files would be consulted. They would include information gathered by the SDS #spycops

There was then a 20 min break. There may be more questions

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn We heard about a visit paid to the SDS by Security Services in July 1982 - at this time the unit's
DI was HN68, Craft was CS

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn According to para 5 of the SS Note of this {MPS-072515?] “despite his misdemeanours, Cooper (HN155) has not been withdrawn as an SDS source”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn His position in the Right To Work movement gives him access to Ernie Roberts MP and to meetings at the House of Commons.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn This officer is suffering from “marital difficulties”
It sounds as though anything coming out about his infiltration could have been really embarrassing for all concerned
Craft says that yes, he would have been concerned
This was “too close” to what he calls “legitimate politics”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn HN300 and HN297 Richard Clark:

How come he didn't share the opinion of these two officers that other witnesses have shared with the Inquiry?

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Craft thinks this is because these officers would have avoided such information reaching him or his deputy.

Now he wonders if he should have been aware, but says “people that are good at putting up a front can sometimes confuse one” (this would surely refer to all #spycops )

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn He now says he was being naïve at the time, “we learn as we go along” and now he knows more

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What are his thoughts now on preventing such misconduct?
Craft is not sure, but suggests more regular emphasis (before and during deployments) might have helped. “these things happen” he adds

Barr: did you think “these things happen” when you ran the SDS?
Craft: “No I did not”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Vince (HN354) is said to have come to Craft and raised his concerns about a female SWP member taking an “amorous interest” in him
Does he recall this?
No

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Are you aware of the term “Wearies”?
No, not at all.

Have you heard it since?
No – adding “I don't even know what it means”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Did he ever come across Bob Lambert?
No – never - “I wouldn't recognise the man”

What was his reaction to learning that Lambeth fathered a child with an activist?
Shock.
“One wonders how he had the time” he comments.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What about HN298 – did you know about him punching Gerry Lawless?
No
Craft smiled at this - “because I had dealings with Gerry Lawless in other circumstances”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn If you'd known about one of your officers assaulting a member of the public, what would you have done?

Craft says they would have to look at it - “clearly he's not in control – and reconsider his deployment.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Richard Clark rose through the ranks of TOM, helping to form a new branch and becoming national Convenor – he was involved in factional in-fighting – why wasn't that stopped?
Craft doesn't know
.
He says “it was concerning” and can't explain why he did nothing about Clark.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Next we saw HN353's witness statement – tells how he got involved in the student union at Thames Poly, became Vice President of the branch, and was a delegate at some NUS conferences

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Craft admits he managed HN353
Why not tell him not to take up this role?
“It had happened so we were stuck with it” is Craft's only response.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn What does he recall of HN12?
“He was a very quiet officer”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn HN67 – Craft does remember him but claims he didn't know him well – he says he didn't know about him forming relationships, never mind fathering a child.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Sanders had a question for the witness – were the SDS undercovers engaged in any entry, search or seizure? (something he was asked about the powers for earlier on)
“I don't think so”

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Mitting pointed out that they did take things like membership lists though.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Mitting had a question for him – how come Craft doesn't remember Angus McIntosh, as their times in the SDS overlapped?
Craft says he's confused about this.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn It's amazing – I know him very well – but have no recollection at all of working with him in the SDS.
He remembers Barry Moss as his number 2, but that's confusing as well.

Craft laughed about his “ageing memory” - Mitting thanked him for his evidence.
With that the day ended.

@ucpinquiry @MetPolice @tombfowler @evelinelubbers @robevansgdn Join @tombfowler LIVE at twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… chatting about today's hearing

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