Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rob Evans

‘Spy cops’ scandal: what is it and why was public inquiry set up?

‘Spy cops’ scandal demonstrators in central London
‘Spy cops’ scandal demonstrators in central London last year. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

Why has this report been published now?

The retired judge Sir John Mitting has been leading a public inquiry examining the conduct of undercover police officers who spied on more than 1,000 political groups between 1968 and at least 2010. At least 139 undercover officers in deployments typically lasting four years were sent to infiltrate mainly leftwing and progressive groups.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.