Latest entry
1968
Special Demonstration Squad established as part of Metropolitan Police Special Branch.
1970
HN302 admits to a fleeting sexual encounter with a person of the opposite sex who was associated with one of the two groups he spied on.
[ PDF ]
1974
Jim Pickford (HN300) told another undercover officer that he had fallen in love with a female member of his target group during his deployment.
[ PDF ]
1975
Rick Gibson / Clark (HN297) started relationship with Mary.
1976
Deployment of ‘Vince Miller’ (HN354). Real name restricted.
Miller admits to fleeting sexual encounters with four women during his deployment. Two of these women were activists whose groups Miller spied upon and two were women he met whilst socialising in his cover identity.
1979
Deployment of ‘Barry Tomkins’ (HN106). Real name restricted.
Security Services documentation indicates that Tomkins ‘bedded’ an activist in his undercover identity. Tomkins wasn’t called to give evidence on health grounds, but in his written statement he denies this. He does admit to often staying over in the house of a different woman, unconnected to his target groups. He claims this was purely platonic. Activists referred to this woman as his girlfriend.
‘Phil Cooper’ (HN155) joined the SDS in 1979. His date of deployment is uncertain and his real name remains restricted. Cooper was not asked to give live evidence to the inquiry due to poor health. Cooper’s is an odd story when it comes to relationships in his cover identity. Two Risk Assessors employed by the MPS gave evidence to the Inquiry stating that Cooper admitted to two or three sexual encounters whilst undercover, but Cooper says he was just speaking hypothetically, and denies he had sex with activists.
1981
Alan Bond (HN67) admitted to a fleeting sexual encounter in his cover name with one woman who was not [he says] a member of his target group.
[ PDF ]
1982
Mike Hartley (HN12) had a fleeting sexual encounter with a female activist.
[ PDF ]
1984
Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) started relationship with Jacqui.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
1985
Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) and Jacqui’s son TBS is born.
Mike Blake / Chitty started relationship with Lizzie.
[ FULL STORY ]
1987
Mike Blake / Chitty disappeared from Lizzie’s life.
Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) started a relationship with Belinda.
[ FULL STORY ]
Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) alleged to have detonated incendiary device in Debenhams store as part of an anti-fur protest.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
1988
Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) disappeared from lives of Jacqui and her son, and Belinda.
1990
John Barker / Dines (HN5) started relationship with Helen Steel.
[ FULL STORY ]
1991
Matt Rayner (HN1) had relationship during deployment with Denise Fuller.
[ PDF ]
1992
Anthony ‘Bobby’ Lewis (HN78) begins a relationship with Bea.
John Barker / Dines (HN5) disappeared from Helen Steel’s life.
Andy Davey / Coles (HN2) begins a relationship with Jessica.
[ FULL STORY ]
1993
Relationship ends between Anthony ‘Bobby’ Lewis (HN78) and Bea.
Andy Davey / Coles (HN2) and Jessica’s relationship ends.
1994
Helen Steel obtains death certificate showing that John Barker had been using the identity of a child who died aged eight.
1995
Mark Cassidy / Jenner (HN15) started relationship with Alison.
[ FULL STORY ]
Anthony ‘Bobby’ Lewis had sexual encounter with Jenny.
[ PDF ]
1997
HN91 entered into one relationship in the cover identity.
[ PDF ]
Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) started a relationship with Monica.
[ FULL STORY ]
Monica ended relationship with Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14).
Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) started a relationship with Ruth.
[ FULL STORY ]
1998
James Straven (HN16) started a relationship with Sara.
[ FULL STORY ]
1999
National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU) established.
Ruth ended relationship with Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14).
Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) started a relationship with Rosa.
[ FULL STORY ]
2000
Mark Cassidy / Jenner (HN15) disappeared from Alison’s life.
After Cassidy’s / Jenner’s (HN15) sudden disappearance Alison begins to suspect he was an infiltrator.
Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) goes missing abroad. Rosa begins her search for him. Foreign Office tell Rosa they have instigated a Missing British National investigation in Turkey.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Rosa discovers there is no record for Jim Sutton’s birth. Rosa phones (numbers she now knows to be) SDS HQ and Boyling’s handler’s mobile. Cryptic love letters from Sutton / Boyling commence claiming he is at risk.
James Straven’s (HN16) and Sara’s relationship ended.
2001
James Straven (HN16) starts a relationship with Ellie.
Carlo Neri / Soracchi (HN104) started a relationship with Lindsey.
[ FULL STORY ]
Rosa travels to South Africa searching for Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14).
James Straven (HN16) ends relationship with Ellie but there is ongoing contact (approximately every year) until 2018.
Rosa’s search uncovers the headquarters of the Special Demonstration Squad, Sutton / Boyling (HN14) returns to Rosa continuing to lie and manipulate her. Boyling claims he needs help to escape the police.
Rosa pregnant with child by Jim Sutton / Boyling.
2002
Carlo Neri/Soracchi’s behaviour forces Lindsey to end their relationship.
Carlo Neri / Soracchi (HN104) started a relationship with Andrea.
[ FULL STORY ]
2003
Helen Steel meets with Alison to discuss their suspicions that Barker /Dines (HN5) and Cassidy / Jenner were infiltrators.
Mark Stone / Kennedy starts a relationship with Kate Wilson.
[ FULL STORY ]
2004
Rosa pregnant with second child by Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) who continues to lie and manipulate her.
Mark Stone / Kennedy starts a relationship with Lisa.
[ FULL STORY ]
Carlo Neri / Soracchi (HN104) disappears from Andrea’s life.
2005
Mark Stone’s / Kennedy’s relationship with Kate Wilson ends. Mark Stone / Kennedy starts a relationship with Naomi.
Mark Stone / Kennedy starts relationship with Sarah Hampton.
Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) coerces Rosa into signing marriage documents.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Mark Stone / Kennedy’s relationship with Naomi ends (although there were further intimate encounters in November 2007 and April 2008)
2006
Rob Harrison (HN18) starts a relationship with Maya.
Relationship between Mark Stone / Kennedy and Sarah Hampton ends.
2007
Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) and Noel Silver make ‘welfare visit’ to Rosa and her children.
Rosa and her two children flee to women’s refuge to escape Sutton’s / Boyling’s (HN14) frightening and abusive behaviour.
Rob Harrison (HN18) disappears from Maya’s life but continues to keep in contact online intermittently.
2008
Special Demonstration Squad disbanded.
Marco Jacobs (HN519 / EN1) starts relationship with ARB.
Mark Stone / Kennedy starts a relationship with Jane.
Relationship between Marco Jacobs (HN519 / EN1) and ARB ends.
2009
Relationship between Mark Stone / Kennedy and Jane ends.
Rosa’s divorce from Jim Sutton / Boyling (HN14) is confirmed in court.
Mark Stone / Kennedy disappears but maintains telephone contact with Lisa with whom he is still in a close relationship, and briefly sees her in November 2009 whilst asking her not to tell anyone he’s around.
2010
Mark Stone / Kennedy officially leaves the police and starts working for private security company Global Open
Mark Stone / Kennedy re-appears in Lisa’s life without previous trappings; he has a canal boat instead of a house and a different phone.
The Observer newspaper published a series of articles regarding the role of ‘Officer A’ within the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS). It later became clear Officer A was whistle-blower, Peter Francis, first called Peter Black in the media.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Lisa finds Mark Kennedy’s passport and is told another set of lies by him.
Rosa gets message to Helen Steel about Sutton / Boyling (HN14) and they meet.
Lisa hears rumours about Sutton / Boyling (HN14) at Shambala festival.
Lisa investigates the identity of her partner of six years Mark Stone and discovers he was an undercover police officer called Mark Kennedy. Lisa and others confront him.
2011
ARB discovers Marco Jacobs (HN519 / EN1) is an undercover police officer.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Trial collapses because Mark Kennedy / Stone offers to give evidence on behalf of the environmental campaigners he infiltrated who charged with conspiring to shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottingham in 2009.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
The Guardian newspaper published what was the first in a series of articles that identified the source as a police officer identifying himself as Peter Black.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Lisa and Helen Steel visit Gareth Peirce at Birnberg Peirce to explore possibility of a legal case against the Metropolitan police.
Lisa, Naomi and Kate Wilson issue civil claim for damages against Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in the High Court for common law claims of assault, misfeasance in public office, deceit, negligence and under the Human Rights Act for breaches of articles 3 and 8 of European Court of Human Rights.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Letter before claim sent to Commissioner of Police on behalf of eight claimants (Lisa, Naomi, Kate Wilson, Rosa, Helen Steel, Ruth, Alison, Belinda). Disclosure requested.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
2012
Bindmans send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of ARB.
Met police apply to court to strike out Lisa, Naomi and Kate Wilson’s claim on jurisdictional grounds – ie. that it should have been brought in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).
Police responds to letter before claim from all eight claimants – NCND raised for first time.
Jacqui sees article in newspaper with photograph of Bob Robinson / Lambert (HN10) and met him a week later.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
TBS is told by mother (Jacqui) about discovery of his father Bob Lambert’s true identity.
Rosa and others (Helen Steel, Alison, Ruth, Belinda) issue civil claim for damages against Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in the High Court for common law claims of assault, misfeasance in public office, deceit and negligence.
2013
High Court ruling in case of Lisa, Naomi and Kate Wilson: Human Rights Act claims must be heard in IPT and common law claims are stayed until outcome of IPT proceedings.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Lisa, Alison, Jacqui and Helen Steel (using pseudonym ‘Clare’) give evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee about their experience of being deceived into relationships with undercover police officers.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Police serve defence of neither confirm nor deny (NCND) in response to civil claims of eight women (Rosa and others).
Whistle-blower Peter Francis reveals he spied on the Stephen Lawrence campaign.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Publication of Undercover: The True Story of Britain’s Undercover Police by Paul Lewis and Rob Evans.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Channel 4 Dispatches covers the scandal with contributions from whistle-blower Peter Francis, Helen Steel, Jacqui and Belinda.
[ YOUTUBE ]
The government rejects Home Affairs Select Committee finding that there is a compelling case for a fundamental review of the legislative framework governing undercover policing, including the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 due to its failure to protect human rights.
Application by police to strike out eight women’s claims on grounds that either they can’t defend the claim due to NCND or that they should be released from disclosure obligations.
Bindmans send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Sarah Hampton.
Court of Appeal dismisses Lisa, Naomi and Kate Wilson’s appeal against decision that IPT has exclusive jurisdiction to hear Human Rights Act claims, but lifts stay in common law claims. Eight common law claims can proceed in high court.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Women deceived into relationships with Marco Jacobs launch civil claim.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
2014
Theresa May orders public inquiry into undercover policing in England and Wales.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Police withdraw application to strike out claim by eight women on grounds that a public inquiry into undercover policing has been announced.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
High Court ruling claim of eight women: Police cannot rely on NCND policy to avoid pleading a defence to the claims. Police submit amended defence.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) write to Rosa setting out decision not to charge Jim Boyling with any offences relating to his sexual relationship while undercover. It states ‘genuine feelings’ were involved.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Mark Thomas’s Cuckooed performed in venues across UK.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Rob Harrison (HN18) reappears in Maya’s life and persuades her to get back together with him.
Rosa requests Victims Right of Review (VRR) of CPS decision not to prosecute Boyling.
Jacqui’s civil claim is settled.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Mediation meetings for Rosa and others.
CPS communicate Victims Right of Review decision is still not to prosecute.
Supreme Court refuse Lisa, Naomi and Kate Wilson permission to appeal Court of Appeal decision of November 2013 forcing their cases into the IPT.
2015
Ellie last saw James Straven (HN16).
Rob Harrison (HN18) disappears again from Maya’s life.
Home Secretary Theresa May announces Lord Justice Pitchford to lead public inquiry into undercover policing in light of findings in the Ellison report.
Publication of first edition Blacklisted by Phil Chamberlain and Dave Smith.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Mediation in Lisa, Naomi and Kate Wilson cases: Lisa and Naomi agree settlement – seek to keep open IPT proceedings but refused. Kate Wilson continues case on advice she may beat Part 36 offer made by police.
Public inquiry begins. The terms of reference are broad: to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. Evidential hearings timetabled to start in 2017 and the Inquiry report is scheduled to be delivered to the Home Secretary by July 2018.
A woman takes legal action against Global Open, a commercial firm hired by companies to monitor protesters. Mark Kennedy pursued her to start the relationship, while, she says, he worked undercover for Global Open.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Andrea receives message about Carlo Neri (HN104)being an undercover police officer.
All eight women are designated core participants in the public inquiry.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Fact of settlement of women’s claims and public apology from police published.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
2016
TBS (son of Bob Lambert and Jacqui) made claim against the Metropolitan police for damages.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Birnberg Peirce send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Andrea.
[ FULL STORY ]
At Case Management Conference due to set timetable for disclosure in Kate Wilson’s ongoing claim, the police withdraw defence and ask for judgment to be made against them.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Birnberg Peirce send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Monica.
[ FULL STORY ]
Nottingham Playhouse run of ‘Any Means’ by Kefi Chadwick.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Helen Steel confronts Barker / Dines (HN5) in Australia.
BBC broadcast Peter Moffat’s drama Undercover.
[ BBC WEBSITE ]
Bindmans send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Lindsey.
[ FULL STORY ]
2017
Sarah Hampton’s civil claim is settled.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Kate Wilson lodges particulars of claim in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).
[ www.ipt-uk.com ]
Birnberg Peirce send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Jessica.
[ FULL STORY ]
May 2017 – ARB’s civil claim is settled.
Sir John Mitting takes over chair of public inquiry.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
CPS writes to Monica communicating decision not to charge Jim Boyling (HN14) with offences against her.
Monica makes complaint to police and gives interview regarding Jim Boyling (HN14).
IPT order police to make disclosure and/or provide witness statements to Kate Wilson by 19 February 2018.
Birnberg Peirce send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Lizzie.
2018
Defendants serve amended defence in IPT claim. No disclosure provided.
Monica issues judicial review challenge of CPS decision not to prosecute Jim Boyling under the Sexual Offences Act or for Misconduct in Public Office.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Boyling dismissed following misconduct hearing based on Rosa’s evidence. The panel read out files Boyling submitted on Rosa during relationship.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
UCPI Chair states that final report won’t now be provided to the Home Secretary until towards the end of 2023.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
Police Spies Out of Lives partner Lush to launch awareness raising publicity campaign.
[ uk.lush.com ]
Metropolitan police admit that the sexual relationship Mark Kennedy had while he was undercover was a violation of Kate Wilson’s fundamental right not to be subjected to torture or inhumane and degrading treatment.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
The public inquiry confirms James Straven was an SDS officer.
IPT order police to lodge fully pleaded defence and witness statements with necessary documents exhibited to comply with the duty of candour by 3 January 2019.
Divisional court dismiss Monica’s application judicially reviewing the CPS decision.
[ MORE DETAILS ]
2019
UCPI Chair announces further delay, stating that evidential hearings are now unlikely to start until 2020.
Police’s amended defence and witness statements served in Kate Wilson’s IPT claim.
Divisional court refuse Monica’s application to appeal to supreme court and to certify a point of law.
Kate Wilson responds to the police’s witness evidence setting out their failure to meet the duty of candour.
Birnberg Peirce send to Metropolitan police letter before claim on behalf of Sara and Ellie.
[ FULL STORY ]
BBC broadcast The Informer by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani
[ BBC WEBSITE ]
Premier screening of Solidarity about undercover police and blacklisting of construction workers.
[ www.solidarityfilm.com ]
House of Commons Library publish briefing document about undercover policing in England and Wales.
Trade union conference and political policing at Greenwich University.
[ CONFERENCE ]
2020
A long delay to the next Phase of Inquiry hearings is announced by the Inquiry Chairman. Tranche 1, Phase 3 hearings will now begin after Easter 2022.
Evidential hearings of UCPI scheduled to begin remotely.
The first Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings begin after 5 years and 5 months of procedural wrangling. Fourteen days of opening statements and evidence are heard – but these are not accessible to Inquiry core participants or members of the public, as the Inquiry Chair decides that audio-visual streaming of evidence is too dangerous for the ex-officers and for the security of policing operations. Only a handful of people, who brave the Covid 19 lockdown restrictions, can see the evidence at the Inquiry screening room in Central London. Police Spies Out of Lives bring actors such as Maxine Peake to read the rolling transcript.
PSOOL deliver a video message to Undercover Policing Inquiry Chair, Sir John Mitting and the Metropolitan Police – projected 30 foot high onto the walls of Scotland Yard, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Garrick Club (where John Mitting is a member). Our message: we’re keeping a very close eye on how you’re dealing with the spycops scandal.
NSY Projection Video
To coincide with the start of the very first Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings, five years after the Inquiry began, PSOOL hire an ‘Advan’ – a 20 foot long advertising board, driven to London venues significant to the activists who were targeted by Spycops. The artwork, by Art Against Blacklisting Collective, is a beautiful backdrop to demonstrators at the hearing venue – the Amba Hotel.
Police Spies Out of Lives partner The Telegraph to launch the Bed of Lies podcast to reach new audiences and raise wider public awareness of this policing scandal.
2021
Timed to coincide with the start of the second Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings PSOOL produce an animated video explainer of the spycops scandal so far, illustrated by the wonderful Dawn Donohoe.
Watch it here
For the start of the second set of Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings PSOOL drive a digital advertising van around to venues where police spies have been active. We show a looped video explainer of our experience with the ‘spycops inquiry’.
Watch it here
Tranche 1, Part 2 – Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings take place over a fifteen-day period. You can read the excellent daily summaries of these hearings by the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS).
Police Spies Out of Lives launches Just Say No! – a parody training resource for undercover police.
The judgment in Kate Wilson’s (link: ) decade-long Investigatory Powers Tribunal case is handed down. The judgment finds that five of Kate’s human rights (ECHR) were breached by the Metropolitan Police and that the deployment of undercover officer Mark Kennedy, and five other officers, into Kate’s life and political movements ‘….was not necessary in a democratic society and not proportionate’ and ‘…not in accordance with the law’. Damning findings by three senior judges. The legal precedent that Kate’s case sets is likely to impact on future legal and public inquiry considerations.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry Chair hears evidence in secret by anonymous officers in their ‘Tranche 1 Phase 4’ hearings. We have no idea when and where hearings are or who or what is discussed. We expect more of these hearings as the Inquiry progresses. Public inquiry proceedings in name only.
2022
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal awards significant damages in Kate Wilson’s human rights case against the Metropolitan Police and the National Police Chiefs Council.
Publication of ‘Small Town Girl – Love, Lies and the Undercover Police’ written by Donna McLean.
Publication of ‘Deep Deception – The story of the spycop network by the women who uncovered the shocking truth’. Five of the women who brought the issue of spycops to public attention release their book chronicling this international scandal.
PSOOL works with Motion Graphics Designer Dawn Donohoe to produce an explainer animation of Kate Wilson’s hugely important case at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
Watch it here
The third Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings happen over two weeks from 9th May. Special Demonstration Squad managers who oversaw operations in the first fourteen years of the highly secretive unit give evidence, most in written form and anonymously. Very helpful daily summaries of the evidence written by the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance are found here
Sir Mark Rowley is appointed as head of the Metropolitan Police after the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick. Rowley is a ‘company man’ with decades of police service. He comes out of retirement to lead the country’s largest police force, with promises of ‘urgent reform’ as findings of institutional racism and corruption still hang over the Met and amidst accusations of serious misogyny and homophobia at an institutional level.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry releases the name of the officer known as ‘Vince Miller’. He is Vincent Harvey an officer who rose through the ranks of the Met Police to reach Assistant Commissioner level. His earlier questioning (link: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/hearing/evidence-hearings-t1-p2-day-14/ ) by Counsel to the Inquiry David Barr KC is jaw-dropping. He is closely questioned about his sexual relationships whilst undercover, notably with PSOOL ‘s own ‘Madeleine’, whose evidence the day before is frank, sincere and eloquent. Unfortunately no aural record of this evidence exists as the Inquiry Chair is still refusing public access to all but the live audio. It is notable that during Harvey’s evidence he admits that had ‘Madeleine’ known he was a police officer he believes she would not have consented to a sexual relationship with him.
Special Demonstration Squad officer James ‘Straven’ has his real name, James Thomson, quietly added to the Undercover Policing Inquiry website. Thomson initially applied for, and was granted, anonymity over his cover and real names, until it was discovered that he had lied about not having sexual relationships in his cover identity. He had two relationships, with ‘Sara’ and ‘Ellie’ and maintained a friendship with ‘Ellie’ that lasted for 18 years, until she discovered his true identity.
2023
The Undercover Policing Inquiry holds summary hearings for their entire progress to date (Tranche 1 hearings).
2024
The second of six ‘Tranches’ of Undercover Policing Inquiry hearings is due to begin, hearing evidence from Special Demonstration Squad officers, and the people whose lives they infiltrated, between 1982 and 1992. There has been a much-criticised two year delay since the last evidence was heard in 2022.
* Every effort has been made to provide accurate information in this timeline. If you spot an error, please let us know.