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| Volume 54 Number 25, October 12, 2024 | ARCHIVE | HOME | JBCENTRE | SUBSCRIBE |
Michael Chant, representing the RCPB(ML) gave evidence to
Tranche 2 of the UCPI on July 10, 2024
The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) on October 4, 2024, published on its website a report on its representing three core participants at Tranche 2 Part 1 of the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI): the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), represented by its General Secretary Kate Hudson; Michael Chant of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (RCPB(ML)); and Lindsey German, current convenor of the Stop the War Coalition and a former leading member of the Socialist Workers Party.
The article explains: "The UCPI was established in 2015 to scrutinise the actions of undercover police officers, particularly the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU), which infiltrated numerous political organisations. These undercover officers (UCO) were embedded within groups like CND, the RCPB(ML), and the Socialist Workers Party, often for extended periods. The inquiry has uncovered that SDS operations went far beyond standard policing, veering into the realm of political repression and interference."
It continues: "Tranche 2 Part 1 of the UCPI covers the period from 1983 to 1992. It focuses on the actions of the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) during this time, examining how undercover officers infiltrated political and activist groups.
"The UCPI investigates the covert surveillance of political parties, trade unions and campaign groups by the British state, revealing disturbing practices of political policing that have undermined civil liberties, democracy, the right to organise and campaign."
Furthermore: "The groups represented by the PILC were all engaged in legitimate political activities: CND campaigned against nuclear weapons; the RCPB(ML) advocated Marxist-Leninist ideas; and the Socialist Workers Party promoted socialist ideals. Despite this, UCOs were deployed to infiltrate and even destabilise these organisations."
The PILC explains that the state's "tactics were not just a matter of gathering intelligence-they were aimed at disrupting political dissent". It draws the conclusion: "In a democratic society, individuals and groups must be free to express their views, organise politically, and challenge the state without fear of surveillance or sabotage. The UCPI has shone some light on how the British state's covert actions violated these basic principles, raising urgent questions about accountability, civil rights, and the proper limits of state power."
Core Participants gave evidence
PILC writes: "Michael Chant, representing the RCPB(ML) gave evidence to Tranche 2 of the UCPI on July 10, 2024. His testimony focused on the infiltration and disruption of his organisation by UCOs during the period covered by the tranche. It was infiltrated by 'Malcolm Shearing' cover name of officer HN19.
"Kate Hudson, the General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), gave evidence to the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) during Tranche 2 on July 15, 2024.
"Kate's testimony focused on the extensive infiltration and surveillance of CND by undercover police officers, which was part of the broader political policing efforts targeting left-wing and activist organisations.
"At this stage we definitely know that CND was infiltrated by 'John Kerry', 'Lee Bonser' and 'Timothy Spence.' We can only assume multiple officers and security service agents infiltrated and monitored the organisation.
"Finally, Lindsey German, formerly a leading member of the SWP, gave evidence on July 11, 2024. Her testimony focused on the infiltration of the SWP by undercover officers and the impact this had on the organisation and its political activities - particular evidence focused on spurious allegations from UCOs further to the demonstration against the BNP at Welling in south London."
Michael Chant had concluded his evidence to the UCPI by emphasising that among the lessons of this historical period is that in the present the interference in the political affairs of the people should banished from the way the state works. Those involved in "undercover policing", up to the highest levels, should be held accountable for their roles.
For the full article, with links to all the evidence given by the Core Participants as videos, see: https://www.pilc.org.uk/news/political-policing-and-democracy-the-undercover-policing-inquiry-and-the-fight-for-accountability/