20 Oct 2011

Undercover police report delayed by new allegations

Publication of a major report on undercover policing has been delayed after allegations that a police officer took part in a criminal trial under a false name.

A protester (C) is trapped in the police line as anti-capitalist and climate change activists demonstrate in the City of London in April 2009 (Getty)

A defence solicitor claimed that Jim Boyling, a specialist operations detective constable with the Metropolitan Police, maintained an alias throughout court proceedings.

The allegations forced the postponement of the publication of a review of the future of undercover policing, which was scheduled for today.

Another report examining the actions of an officer who infiltrated protest groups was also delayed.

Mike Schwarz of law firm Bindmans said he had discovered he represented DC Boyling under the name Jim Sutton, along with other protesters.

The undercover officer went on trial for public order offences with other activists from pro-cycling campaign group Reclaim The Streets following a demonstration at the headquarters of London Underground in 1996.

The lawyer said the revelation raised concerns about the “confidentiality” of discussions between the officer’s co-defendants and their legal representatives.

He told The Guardian: “This case raises the most fundamental constitutional issues about the limits of acceptable policing, the sanctity of lawyer-client confidentiality, and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Read more: Undercover policeman scapegoat claims

“At first sight, it seems that the police have wildly overstepped all recognised boundaries.”

Activist John Jordan, who was convicted of assaulting a police officer and given a conditional discharge after being arrested with “Jim Sutton”, is appealing against the verdict following the allegations.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has been reviewing issues regarding the deployment of undercover officers and the policy and practices in place at the time of the events described in the Guardian.

“The MPS acknowledges that these are serious matters and is continuing to review the situation, and will take account of any additional information that becomes available.

“We are confident that the current legislative and regulatory framework governing the deployment of undercover officers ensures that all such deployments conducted now are lawful and appropriately managed.”