‘Tip of the iceberg’

A new database shows that 124 mainly left-leaning organisations – including trade unions and anti-racist groups – were spied on for decades by undercover police.

Unite said the list, compiled by the Undercover Research Group and the Guardian, is just the “tip of the iceberg” – with around 1,000 groups being spied on by police since 1968.

While the database is incomplete because the full list of spied upon organisations has not yet been revealed, it suggests that spy cops predominantly targeted left-leaning groups – including the UCATT trade union that has now merged with Unite.

Currently the database shows that just three far-right groups were targeted by the police – Combat 18, the United British Alliance and the British National Party.

Spy cops overwhelmingly targeted groups that were concerned with left-wing politics, the environment and anti-racism campaigns.

Trade unionists were also spied on, as well 16 campaigns run by families or supporters of victims of alleged police misconduct.

The public inquiry into undercover policing, led by retired judge Sir John Mitting, disclosed that 1,000 groups were spied on over the past 50 years – however the names of the groups have not been released.

The inquiry, which has been hit by delays and walkouts over police coverups, is due to begin hearing evidence in 2019.

Commenting on the database, Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said, “This list goes some way to exposing just how many organisations – including trade unions – were infiltrated by undercover police. However with up to 1,000 groups having being spied on it is just the tip of the iceberg.

“The undercover police inquiry led by Sir John Mitting is supposed to bring all this out into the open but so far all we’ve had is prevarication and obstruction. From spies duping women into intimate relationships to ruining livelihoods through blacklisting, the actions of police undercover squads have blighted lives and eroded public trust.

“These issues cannot be left to fester in the dark anymore, the Mitting Inquiry must ensure that the whole truth comes out.”