Special Branch had file open on John Lennon, spy cops inquiry hears
The public inquiry into undercover policing heard some shocking evidence this week
09:39, 2 MAY 2021
Beatles legend John Lennon was mentioned in the Undercover Policing Inquiry (Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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AN UNDERCOVER officer “ruthlessly” clawed his way to the top of an Irish solidarity campaign in the 1970s and used his position as leader to destabilise the organisation.
Sinn Fein described the revelations, uncovered last week at the Undercover Policing Inquiry, as disgraceful and “very concerning” today.
On Friday, the inquiry heard how undercover officer Detective Constable Richard Clark infiltrated the Troops Out Movement (TOM), a lawful and peaceful campaign group set up to highlight abuses by the British army in Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of two TOM campaigners, James Scobie QC told the inquiry how Mr Clark, who is now deceased, rose up the ranks by abusing friendships and starting four sexual relationships with women who did not know he was a police spy, to gain trust.
Last modified on Fri 23 Apr 2021 11.14 EDT
An undercover officer punched an activist who had accused him of being a police spy, a public inquiry has been told.
The officer, who used the fake name Michael Scott, broke his little finger as a result of hitting the activist after the accusation had been made at a political meeting.
The inquiry also heard that a second undercover officer allegedly made a violent threat against a woman who had identified him as a spy.
The inquiry, which is led by the former judge Sir John Mitting, is looking at the activities of 139 undercover officers who have spied on more than 1,000 political groups since 1968. In its current phase it is examining undercover operations in the 1970s and early 80s.