POLICE spied on the partner of a protester killed by officers in order to stay “one step ahead” of her campaign for justice, a public inquiry heard yesterday.
Celia Stubbs was spied on for 20 years following the death of her partner Blair Peach at a protest against the National Front in Southall in 1979.
His death at the hands of riot officers prompted one of the most notorious police cover-ups in modern policing history. In the 42 years since his death, no officer has ever been charged.
Speaking to the undercover policing inquiry, Ms Stubbs said that the officers involved may have escaped justice as a result of police spying on her campaign to hold the force to account.
The grieving partner of an anti-racism campaigner killed by a police officer said she felt violated - and did not understand why she was spied on.
Celia Stubbs, 80, told the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) that officers abused their surveillance powers. to protect themselves from facing justice .
Blair Peach, a teacher and trade unionist, died aged 33 after being hit by an officer during a protest in Southall, west London, on April 24 1979.
The demonstration came amid tensions arising from the National Front mounting a general election campaign that year.
Ms Stubbs said the improper surveillance on her was particularly unpleasant because it took place when she was grieving for Mr Peach and trying to campaign for justice for him.
First published on Thu 6 May 2021 09.10 EDT
Scotland Yard spied for more than two decades on the partner of an anti-racist protester who police accept was almost certainly killed by one of their officers at a demonstration, a public inquiry has been told.
Celia Stubbs campaigned for years to uncover the truth of how her boyfriend, Blair Peach, died at the demonstration. It was one of the most controversial cover-ups in modern policing history.
Documents disclosed by the public inquiry revealed how undercover officers working for a secret Metropolitan police unit monitored the progress of the campaign that she and other activists ran.
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The legacy of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence is one of hope and that change is possible, his parents have said.
Neville and Doreen Lawrence made the comment 28 years to the day since their son was murdered in an unprovoked attack by a gang of racists in Eltham, south-east London, and as a public inquiry into shadowy undercover policing tactics held a minute’s silence in his memory.
They said: “Despite the brutal circumstances of Stephen’s death, those left behind have campaigned to ensure that his legacy is ultimately one of hope, reminding us that change is both much needed but also possible.”