conference from the undercover policing wireless looking at why scotland yard set up the special demonstration squad 1982. it's the first phase of the inquiry and you can see we are waiting for this news conference but in the meantime, our home affairs correspondent explains more about this investigation. london, 1968 and a huge demonstration outside the american embassy against the vietnam war. involved in gathering intelligence and newly formed undercover policing of the special demonstration squad. for the next 40 years, sds officers infiltrated left—wing and progressive groups and long term basis. passing back information to scotland yard and mr mis. information to scotland yard and mr m15. their targets included anti—apartheid campaigners, including peter, now lord hayne who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. he is one of those who gave evidence to the first phases of public inquiry into undercover policing. another political activist, richard jess, discovered in the 1970s he was befriended by a police spy. i in the 19705 he was befriended by a olice s- . ., in the 19705 he was befrie

most of the groups infiltrate by what was known as the special demonstration squad were no threat, saysirjohn meeting the chair of the undercover policing inquiry. the report details intrusions on peoples lives and their relationships. the end did not justify the means, the report has concluded. sirjohn, in his report, describes the impact of the officers actions and hundreds of people's lives and says he has come to the firm conclusion that the end did not justify the means and in some cases officers had sexual relationships while undercover and used dead children's names as part of the cover. sirjohn says the use of these means, had they been publicly known at the time, the sds these means, had they been publicly known at the time, the 505 would have been brought to a rapid end. he says he believes the tactics of taking dead children's identities should have been referred to senior met officers and indeed home office officials. he said officers were deployed into groups for years and some to positions of responsibility. they reported extensive details on individuals, including the rel

a former seniorjudge has been looking into the work of the special demonstration squad, which was set up by london's metropolitan police in 1968. sirjohn mitting says the organisations it was investigating posed no threat. in some cases police officers had sexual relationships while undercover and used dead children's names to create theirfalse identities. our home affairs correspondent june kelly has been following the story. janik is the first report in this inquiry which is actually set in motion in 2015. it’s inquiry which is actually set in motion in 2015.— motion in 2015. it's looking at these activities _ motion in 2015. it's looking at these activities in _ motion in 2015. it's looking at these activities in this - motion in 2015. it's looking at these activities in this first . these activities in this first report of a group of officers that was set up by scotland yard, they were called a special demonstration squad, and they were set up in 1968 commander report is focusing on the years between 1968 in 1975. back in that period, this group was spying on organisations like th

involved in gathering intelligence and uniformed undercover police unit, the special demonstration squad and progressive groups on a long—term basis. passing back information to scotland yard and mi5. their targets included anti—apartheid campaigners, including peter, now lord hayne, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. he is one of those who gave evidence of the first phase of the public inquiry into undercover policing. another political activist discovered in the 1970s, he was befriended by a police by. i felt he had betrayed _ befriended by a police by. i felt he had betrayed us, _ befriended by a police by. i felt he had betrayed us, basically, - befriended by a police by. i felt he had betrayed us, basically, but. befriended by a police by. i felt he had betrayed us, basically, but i i had betrayed us, basically, buti didn't know until the inquiry and all it has emerged just how personal details he had conveyed to mi5 about me, and also my friends and family. the inquiry opened in 2020. it currently involves nearly 250 participants and so far it has cost over £64 millio

period between 1968 and 1982 and 1968 is significant because this is when a new unit, the special demonstration squadroups like the anti—apartheid movement, the women's liberation front and also trades unionists, some of whom lost their jobs after they were blacklisted because of information gathered by the police. now, the chair of the undercover policing inquiry, the retired judge sirjob meeting, is asking the question, was it all worth it? did the end justify the means? he's come to the conclusion it didn't because he said the tactics used by these officers were very intrusive, gathering a lot of personal information, in some cases the officers actually had sexual relationships with the women they were spying on. of course that women didn't know, they thought they were fellow activists. and using the identities of dead children as part of their cover. and what sirjohn meeting is saying is that none of these groups that were being spied on were a threat to the safety of the state, they were not involved in serious crime including terrorism, so his conclusion is the special demonstration squad shoul

involved in gathering intelligence, a newly formed undercover police unit, the special demonstration squadn squad. for the next 40 years, ses officers infiltrated left—wing and progressive groups on a long—term basis, passing back information to scotland yard and m15. their targets included anti—apartheid campaigners, including peter, now lord hain, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. he is one of those who gave evidence to the first phase of the public enquiry into undercover policing. the enquiry had, the celia judge sirjohn meeting, is producing his first report today. another political activist, richard juston, discovered in the 1970s he was befriended by a police spy. i he was befriended by a police s- . he was befriended by a police 5. _ ., he was befriended by a police s- . . ., spy. i felt that he had betrayed _ spy. i felt that he had betrayed us _ spy. i felt that he had. betrayed us politically, spy. i felt that he had - betrayed us politically, but i didn't know until the enquiry and all that has emerged in the enquiryjust how much personal details he had conveyed

this first report of a group of officers which was set up by scotland yard, called the special demonstration squadset up in 1968 and the report is focusing between 96 the eight and 1975. this group were spying on organisations like the anti—apartheid movement, the women's liberation front and also trade unionism. the chair of the inquiry is asking the question, did the ends justify the means? the chair, a senior legal figure, justify the means? the chair, a senior legalfigure, is justify the means? the chair, a senior legal figure, is saying justify the means? the chair, a senior legalfigure, is saying he doesn't believe it does because he thinks the information that was being gathered from these groups... they were getting information from organisations who posed no threat to the british state, they were not involved in any serious crime, and he said the tactics they were using, which were very intrusive, you have to ask, was it worth it question lucky has concluded that it wasn't. kate wilson was an activist who was spied on and deceived into a relationship with a police officer. i want you to t

, as it special demonstration squad, as h e— special demonstration squad, as h whewh— special demonstrationgs are devastating— campaigners says the findings are devastating for the police, hw— are devastating for the police, but the— are devastating for the police, but the police— are devastating for the police, but the police has apologised for whee— but the police has apologised for what happened over 40 years ago,— for what happened over 40 years ege, eewhe— for what happened over 40 years ege, eewhg whee— for what happened over 40 years ago, saying that undercover pehehe— ago, saying that undercover pehehe hee— ago, saying that undercover policing has undergone complete rerer— policing has undergone complete reerrrh ehe— policing has undergone complete referrh .— policing has undergone complete reform since . right now, the reform since. right now, the fhree— reform since. right now, the fhree reef— reform since. right now, the three just stop _ reform since. right now, the three just stop oil protesters whe— three just stop oil protesters whe hweeee— three just stop oil protesters who

, as it special demonstration squad, as n was— special demonstration squad, as n known— specialrs— 1982. a spokesperson for campaigners says the findings are devastating— campaigners says the findings are devastating for the police, pur— are devastating for the police, our one— are devastating for the police, but the police— are devastating for the police, but the police has apologised for wnar— but the police has apologised for what happened over 40 years ago,— for what happened over 40 years ago, saying— for what happened over 40 years ago, saying anar— for what happened over 40 years ago, saying that undercover poucrng— ago, saying that undercover poucrng nas— ago, saying that undercover policing has undergone complete reorrnr— policing has undergone complete reorrnr snce— policing has undergone complete reorrnr .— policing has undergone complete reform since . right now, the reform since. right now, the wee— reform since. right now, the once rust— reform since. right now, the three just stop _ reform since. right now, the three just stop oil protesters wno— three just stop o

the american embassy in london led scotland yard to set up an undercover police unit, the special demonstration squadad infiltrated scores of campaign groups. none of it was justified and the sds should have been disbanded early on says the chair of the undercover policing inquiry. today, his words were quoted by those targeted. the question is whether or not the end justifies the means. i have come to the firm conclusion that, for a unit of a police force, it did not. amongst those spied on in the �*70s were the women's liberation movement. anti—apartheid campaigners, including key figures like peter, now lord hain, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. and trade unionists who ended up blacklisted and on the breadline. this is a national scandal. this report that's come out today should be the final nail in the coffin of the metropolitan police — today the force said the sds was set up at a time of political and social change, but it acknowledged that officers should not have used the identities of dead children as part of their cover stories or had sexual relationships with activists. wi

the american embassy in london led scotland yard to set up an undercover police unit, the special demonstration squad. soon the sds had infiltrated scores of campaign groups. none of it was justified and the sds should have been disbanded early on says the chair of the undercover policing inquiry. today, his words were quoted by those targeted. the question is whether or not the end justifies the means. i have come to the firm conclusion that, for a unit of a police force, it did not. amongst those spied on in the �*70s were the women's liberation movement. anti—apartheid campaigners, including key figures like peter, now lord hain, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. and trade unionists who ended up blacklisted and on the breadline. this is a national scandal. this report that's come out today should be the final nail in the coffin of the metropolitan police — today the force said the sds was set up at a time of political and social change, but it acknowledged that officers should not have used the identities of dead children as part of their cover stories or had sexual relationships wi

against the vietnam war which led scotland yard to set up a new undercover police unit, the special demonstration squad demonstrated - against discrimination... but by the 1970s, the sds had expanded, infiltrating dozens of groups, including the women's liberation movement and the anti—apartheid campaign. none of this was justified and the sds should have been disbanded early on, says the chair of the undercover policing inquiry. today, his words were quoted by those targeted. the question is whether or not the end justifies the means. i have come to the firm conclusion that for a unit of a police force, it did not! trade unionists in the construction industry lost their livelihoods. police information on them was shared, they ended up blacklisted and on the breadline. this is a national scandal. this report that's come out today should be the final nail in the coffin of the metropolitan police. from the start, officers use the names of dead children as part of their cover stories and some had sexual relationships with those they were spying on, practices which went on for decades. mark kennedy, who wa

the american embassy in london led scotland yard to set up an undercover police unit, the special demonstration squadad infiltrated scores of campaign groups. none of it was justified and the sds should have been disbanded early on says the chair of the undercover policing inquiry. today, his words were quoted by those targeted. the question is whether or not the end justifies the means. i have come to the firm conclusion that, for a unit of a police force, it did not. amongst those spied on in the �*70s were the women's liberation movement. anti—apartheid campaigners, including key figures like peter, now lord hain, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. and trade unionists who ended up blacklisted and on the breadline. this is a national scandal. this report that's come out today should be the final nail in the coffin of the metropolitan police — today the force said the sds was set up at a time of political and social change, but it acknowledged that officers should not have used the identities of dead children as part of their cover stories or had sexual relationships with activists. wi

special demonstration squad. bebweem— special demonstration squad. s £1,509.84 per ounce. and the ftse 100 is at— is £1,509.84 per ounce. and the ftse 100 is at 7478— is £1,509.84 per ounce. and the ftse 100 is at 7478 points. bbreeb— ftse 100 is at 7478 points. direct bullion _ ftse 100 is at 7478 points. direct bullion sponsors- ftse 100 is at 7478 points. direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for physical investment patrick christys on gb news and gb news radio . welcome back to gb news radio. welcome back to the gb news radio. welcome back to bbe bwe— gb news radio. welcome back to bbe bbwe eeeb— gb news radio. welcome back to bbe bbwe beew .— gb news radio. welcome back to the live desk . the— gb news radio. welcome back to the live desk . the latest- [15 \r 35: welcome back to the live desk . the latest on the live desk. the latest on uwrabme— the live desk. the latest on ukraine now— the live desk. the latest on ukraine now because it's breebbemb— ukraine now because it's president vladimir zelenskyy eaye— president vladimir zel

peineen— the special demonstration squad ieineen ines— the special demonstration squad betweendevastating for the police. the peiiee nee— devastating for the police. the police has apologised for what neppenei— police has apologised for what neppenei even— police has apologised for what happened over 40 years ago, spying— happened over 40 years ago, eeging inni— happened over 40 years ago, saying that undercover policing has saying that undercover policing nee since— saying that undercover policing has since undergone radical eenni— has since undergone radical eenni .— has since undergone radical eenni . new— has since undergone radical reform . now boris johnson's reform. now boris johnson's eiiiee— reform. now boris johnson's eiiiee neve— reform. now boris johnson's allies have been— reform. now boris johnson's allies have been criticised by ine— allies have been criticised by the privileges— allies have been criticised by the privileges committee for vinai— the privileges committee for nnei ii— the privileges committee for what it describes as the undermining— what it descri

the american embassy in london led scotland yard to set up an undercover police unit, the special demonstration squadthe undercover policing inquiry. today, his words were quoted by those targeted. the question is whether or not the end justifies the means. i have come to the firm conclusion that, for a unit of a police force, it did not. amongst those spied on in the �*705 were the women's liberation movement, anti—apartheid campaigners, including key figures like peter, now lord hain, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. and trade unionists who ended up blacklisted and on the breadline. this is a national scandal. this report that's come out today should be the final nail in the coffin of the metropolitan police — today, the force said the sds was set up at a time of political and social change, but it acknowledged that officers should not have used the identities of dead children as part of their cover stories or had sexual relationships with activists. with the benefit of hindsight, i there should've been more work in relation to reviewing - the information that was being gathered and

report today, and has found that such actions were notjustified, and that the unit, the special demonstration squad and the end did notjustify the means that the unit used. secretary theresa may. theresa may ordered this inquiry in 2014 as home secretary, after a report into the policing of the stephen lawrence murder revealed that the sds had spied on the lawrence family. i don't say this lightly, but i think that the greatest possible scrutiny is now needed into what has taken place. and so, given the gravity of what has now been uncovered, i have decided that a public inquiry, led by a judge, is necessary to investigate undercover policing and the operation of the sds. today, the interim report said almost all of the sds undercover targets between 1968 and 1982 were unjustified. the report said in the era of the cold war and the troubles, the infiltration of groups which in fact threatened the safety or well—being of the state could also have been justified. in the period covered, only three groups penetrated by the sds satisfied these criteria. the great majority of deployments by the sds in th

activities of- policing looked at the activities of the sds or special demonstration— activities of the sds or special demonstration squadlan for a non— inquiry that scotland had no plan for a non flu pandemic and that— plan for a non flu pandemic and that hearhhht— plan for a non flu pandemic and that learning from _ plan for a non flu pandemic and that learning from the episode et— that learning from the episode was of critical— that learning from the episode was of critical importance . the was of critical importance. the termer— was of critical importance. the termer thet— was of critical importance. the former first minister was taeethehet— former first minister was questioned this morning on how hreharet— questioned this morning on how prepared scotland— questioned this morning on how prepared scotland was , as well prepared scotland was, as well as prepared scotland was, as well ae hev— prepared scotland was, as well ae hev ehe,— prepared scotland was, as well as how she, as— prepared scotland was, as well as how she, as a— prepared scotland was, as well as how she, as a politician hahthet— as how she, as a politi

report, sirjohn mitting is highly critical of the methods of the metropolitan police's special demonstration squadfrican—americans and other minorities. activists opposed to affirmative action say the admissions policies at harvard and the university of north carolina discriminate against asian—americans. the policies were designed to increase the number of black, latino and native american students. it's the latest landmark ruling by the conservative—dominated supreme court which is also the most diverse in us history. 0ur correspondentjess parker spoke to us earlier. us presidentjoe biden has expresed his disagreement with the supreme court decision. we are nowjoined by andrew brennen, who graduated from the university of north carolina at chapel hill in 2019. unc is one of the schools who were taken to the supreme court in this case, and andrew is one of the student interveners in this case who testified at the district court level. thank you very much forjoining us, andrew. what is your reaction to what we have heard from the court today? what we have heard from the court toda ? ., ., ., what

involved in gathering intelligence, a newly formed undercover police unit — the special demonstration squadofficers infiltrated left—wing and progressive groups on a long—term basis — passing back information to scotland yard and m15. their targets included anti—apartheid campaigners, including peter, now lord, hain, who went on to become a labour cabinet minister. he's one of those who gave evidence to the first phase of the public inquiry into undercover policing. the inquiry head, the senior judge sirjohn mitting, is producing his first report today. another political activist, richard chessum, discovered that in the 1970s, he was befriended by a police spy. ifelt that he had betrayed us politically, but i didn't know until the mitting inquiry and all that's emerged in the inquiryjust how much personal details he had conveyed to m15 about me and also my friends and family. the inquiry opened in 2020. it currently involves nearly 250 core participants and, so far, it's cost over £61; million. it's emerged that, down the decades, as well as taking part in protests, the undercover officers