Undercover Officer Accused of Using Public Funds for Romantic Venice Trip
An undercover police officer is facing serious allegations that he misused taxpayer money to finance a romantic getaway to Venice with a woman he was deceiving into a long-term intimate relationship, according to testimony presented at the ongoing spycops public inquiry.
Deceptive Relationships and Official Justifications
Carlo Soracchi, who infiltrated socialist and anti-fascist campaign groups for six years while posing as an activist, is at the centre of the controversy. Internal Metropolitan police documents indicate that the force authorised and paid for flights and accommodation for the December 2001 trip, justifying it as a mission to "consolidate and extend" relations with Italian socialists.
However, the woman involved, known as Lindsey, told the inquiry that the three-day visit was nothing more than a "classic romantic break in a city associated with romance." She described how Soracchi surprised her with plane tickets just before Christmas, leading her to feel overwhelmed and loved. Lindsey stated they spent their time sightseeing, appreciating Venice's architecture, and dining in restaurants, with only 20 minutes spent apart during the entire trip.
Contradictions and Broader Inquiry Context
Lindsey was one of three women deceived into sexual relationships by Soracchi during his undercover tenure from 2000 to 2006. Another woman, Donna McLean, was in a two-year relationship with him that included a marriage proposal, which Soracchi denies. Both Lindsey and McLean have testified that Soracchi told numerous lies about his relationships with them.
In a written statement, Soracchi maintained that the trip was authorised by the Special Demonstration Squad for political purposes, aimed at holding discussions with Italian activists. An official document supported this, noting the trip was used for "legend enhancement" and to investigate socialist party links with Italian anarchist groups. Yet, when questioned, Lindsey confirmed no meetings with Italian activists occurred.
The inquiry, led by retired judge Sir John Mitting, is examining how undercover officers infiltrated leftwing campaign groups between 1968 and at least 2010, often forming relationships without disclosing their true identities. Lindsey, a socialist, emphasised she would not have consented to the relationship if she had known Soracchi was a police officer spying on political groups.
Additional Revelations and Upcoming Testimony
Further details emerged that DS Stephen Beels, one of Soracchi's supervisors, travelled separately to Italy simultaneously to provide support, with police covering his flights and accommodation in Verona, approximately 75 miles from Venice. The exact cost of the trips has not been disclosed.
Soracchi is scheduled to be questioned over four days starting next Monday, as the inquiry continues to uncover the extent of deceptive practices within undercover policing operations.
