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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rob Evans

MI5 asked police to spy on political activities of children, inquiry hears

MI5 Police Paul Gray Home Office SWP Whitehall
Police scuffle with people in New Cross, Lewisham, in August 1977
Anti-fascist protesters scuffle with police in New Cross, Lewisham, in 1977. Police spied on children involved with anti-fascist groups that faced down the far right in the 1970s. Photograph: Gary Weaser/Getty Images

MI5 asked police chiefs to collect information about the political activities of schoolchildren as young as 14, a public inquiry into undercover policing has heard.

The request – circulated to chief constables throughout Britain in 1975 – was approved by the head of the Security Service and a senior Whitehall official.

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