Met had ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, says spycop who tricked women into sexual relationships

Jim Boyling received letters praising his covert work from the then home secretary, Jack Straw, and senior police officers. Photograph: UCPI Evidence Hearing

An undercover officer who deceived three women into sexual relationships said his superiors did nothing to prevent him from doing so, the spycops public inquiry has heard.

Jim Boyling, who infiltrated environmental and animal rights activist groups for five years, said senior managers turned a blind eye to undercover officers having deceitful sexual relationships with women, often lasting years. His managers adopted an attitude of “don’t ask, don’t tell”, he said.