An undercover police officer allegedly used taxpayers’ money to fund a romantic break in Venice with a woman he was deceiving, the spycops public inquiry has heard. Carlo Soracchi, who infiltrated socialist and anti-fascist groups for six years, claimed the trip was for political purposes, but the woman, known as Lindsey, said it was a romantic getaway.
Internal documents show the Metropolitan Police paid for flights and accommodation, citing the need to “consolidate and extend” relations with Italian socialists. However, Lindsey told the inquiry that only she and Soracchi were on the three-day trip, spending time sightseeing and dining, with just 20 minutes apart.
Lindsey, a socialist, said she fell in love with Soracchi in 2001 and would not have consented if she had known his true identity. She described being “overwhelmed and flattered” when he surprised her with tickets to Venice just before Christmas that year. They stayed in a central apartment she described as “beautiful”.
Soracchi has stated in a written submission that the trip was authorised by the Special Demonstration Squad for “legend enhancement” and to assess Socialist party links with Italian anarchist groups. Inquiry lawyer Hannah Wyatt asked Lindsey if they met any activists; she replied, “No.”
The inquiry also heard that Detective Sergeant Stephen Beels, one of Soracchi’s supervisors, travelled separately to Italy at the same time, with police covering his flights and accommodation in Verona, 75 miles from Venice. Soracchi is due to be questioned over four days starting Monday.
