Senior Police Praised Undercover Officer for Lying in Court, Inquiry Reveals
Senior police officers praised an undercover officer who lied to a court about his real identity during the prosecution of environmental activists, according to secret documents unveiled at the spycops public inquiry. Jim Boyling, an undercover officer, infiltrated environmental and animal rights groups between 1995 and 2000, and gave evidence under his fake identity when prosecuted alongside activists for public order offences.
Deception in Legal Proceedings
Boyling's superiors authorised him to maintain his false persona throughout the legal case, with later memos stating he "should be praised for the way in which he dealt with each of the court appearances." This deliberate policy of not disclosing undercover officers' true identities to courts has been a focus of the inquiry, led by retired judge Sir John Mitting, which is examining how many activists may have been wrongly convicted as a result.
An internal police review from 2009 concluded that undercover officers in the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) "did, with their management’s knowledge, blessing and support, mislead the courts." The review described this tactic as "grossly unprofessional" and prejudicial to activists' rights to a fair trial, noting it was completely outside accepted practice.
Widespread Impact of the Spycops Scandal
The spycops scandal involves 139 undercover officers who spied on tens of thousands of predominantly leftwing campaigners from 1968 until at least 2010. Evidence presented at the inquiry shows that between 1970 and 1998, undercover officers concealed their real identities in at least 13 trials of activists supporting causes such as anti-fascism, anti-apartheid, and animal rights, primarily for public order offences.
David Barr, the inquiry’s chief barrister, stated: "The SDS appears to have put the security of its operation over and above its duty to the court and the rule of law." Senior officers believed that disclosing real identities would cut short deployments and cause public controversy, jeopardising the unit's existence. They also thought that being prosecuted boosted the credibility of spies among the activists they infiltrated.
Boyling's Case and Aftermath
In 1996, Boyling was arrested under his fake identity during an environmental demonstration at Transport for London offices. SDS managers instructed him to maintain his false identity throughout legal proceedings. He gave evidence as his fake persona in a 1997 magistrates court case, where the magistrate was unaware of his undercover role. When asked if there was consideration of the court not knowing his true identity, Boyling replied: "No." He and the activists were acquitted.
After the trial, DCI Keith Edmondson, head of the SDS, wrote in a memo that Boyling's operation was strengthened by the case, praising his handling of court appearances. Edmondson previously said: "We did not consider that he would be misleading the court by appearing in a cover identity." Supt Eric Docker, a senior officer overseeing the SDS, reported a "most satisfactory conclusion" highlighting the professionalism of SDS officers.
When Boyling was unmasked in 2011, two activists convicted of related offences had their convictions overturned. The inquiry continues to investigate the full extent of these practices and their impact on justice.
