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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rob Evans

Met police chiefs decided not to infiltrate far-right groups in 70s, hears inquiry

Police clash with anti-fascist demonstrators during a National Front march in New Cross, London, in August 1977.
Police clash with anti-fascist demonstrators during a National Front march in New Cross, London, in August 1977. Analysis shows police overwhelmingly spied on leftwing groups. Photograph: Gary Weaser/Getty

Police leaders took a high-level policy decision not to place undercover officers in far-right groups at a time when fascists were intimidating and attacking ethnic minority communities in the 1970s, an inquiry has heard.

The undercover police officers that were sent to infiltrate political groups during that time were exclusively targeted at leftwing and progressive groups, including those opposing fascists.

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