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Women duped by undercover officers challenge attempt to block lawsuit Women duped by undercover officers challenge attempt to block lawsuit
(about 4 hours later)
Women who say they were deceived into forming long-term, sexual relationships with undercover police officers are challenging "absurd, shambolic and incoherent" attempts by police chiefs to block their lawsuit, the high court has heard.Women who say they were deceived into forming long-term, sexual relationships with undercover police officers are challenging "absurd, shambolic and incoherent" attempts by police chiefs to block their lawsuit, the high court has heard.
The women started their lawsuit three years ago, claiming they have suffered huge emotional trauma after finding out that their one-time boyfriends were undercover officers.The women started their lawsuit three years ago, claiming they have suffered huge emotional trauma after finding out that their one-time boyfriends were undercover officers.
Police chiefs have argued that they cannot contest the lawsuit because they are constrained by their own unbreakable secrecy policy.Police chiefs have argued that they cannot contest the lawsuit because they are constrained by their own unbreakable secrecy policy.
They claim that the lawsuit must be thrown out as they cannot get a fair trial. They say they cannot oppose the lawsuit as their strict policy means they can neither confirm nor deny whether an individual was an undercover spy. They claim that they cannot get a fair trial. They say they cannot oppose the lawsuit as their strict policy means they can neither confirm nor deny whether an individual was an undercover spy.
On Thursday, Phillippa Kaufmann QC, representing the women, told the high court that this stance was "absurd" as police chiefs had themselves "departed left, right and centre" from their own supposed policy in a "wholly inconsistent and shambolic" way.On Thursday, Phillippa Kaufmann QC, representing the women, told the high court that this stance was "absurd" as police chiefs had themselves "departed left, right and centre" from their own supposed policy in a "wholly inconsistent and shambolic" way.
She told Mr Justice Bean that the police were acting "incoherently" as they had confirmed the identities of their own undercover officers in the past.She told Mr Justice Bean that the police were acting "incoherently" as they had confirmed the identities of their own undercover officers in the past.
She highlighted how police had confirmed that Mark Kennedy was an undercover officer after he had been unmasked by political campaigners.She highlighted how police had confirmed that Mark Kennedy was an undercover officer after he had been unmasked by political campaigners.
Kennedy, a Metropolitan police officer, spent seven years infiltrating environmental activists. During that time, he formed intimate, sexual relationships with a number of activists he was spying on. Four of them are taking legal action against police chiefs.Kennedy, a Metropolitan police officer, spent seven years infiltrating environmental activists. During that time, he formed intimate, sexual relationships with a number of activists he was spying on. Four of them are taking legal action against police chiefs.
His deployment has also been outlined in court rulings and official reports.His deployment has also been outlined in court rulings and official reports.
Another undercover officer who infiltrated environmental and animal rights campaigners for five years, Jim Boyling, had also been named by police, Kaufmann told the court.Another undercover officer who infiltrated environmental and animal rights campaigners for five years, Jim Boyling, had also been named by police, Kaufmann told the court.
Two women he had relationships with while he was on his covert mission are suing the police.Two women he had relationships with while he was on his covert mission are suing the police.
Boyling and another police officer, Bob Lambert, have themselves admitted that they were sent to spy on political campaigners.Boyling and another police officer, Bob Lambert, have themselves admitted that they were sent to spy on political campaigners.
Lambert has appeared on television defending his conduct over a series of allegations. He formed relationships with four women during his five-year undercover infiltration, two of whom are taking legal acton.Lambert has appeared on television defending his conduct over a series of allegations. He formed relationships with four women during his five-year undercover infiltration, two of whom are taking legal acton.
He fathered a child with an activist before walking out of their lives, without disclosing his true identity.He fathered a child with an activist before walking out of their lives, without disclosing his true identity.
The high court heard that Commander Richard Martin, the officer in charge of undercover policing at Scotland Yard, had conceded that there had been "some inconsistency" in the police's application of the "neither confirm, nor deny" policy over time, but said that it was still justified.The high court heard that Commander Richard Martin, the officer in charge of undercover policing at Scotland Yard, had conceded that there had been "some inconsistency" in the police's application of the "neither confirm, nor deny" policy over time, but said that it was still justified.
The two-day hearing continues.The two-day hearing continues.