A documentary set to air on ITV is poised to shed light on the shocking revelation that at least 25 undercover police officers infiltrated and formed romantic relationships with members of the public for up to six years. These officers, known as ‘spy cops,’ have left a trail of destruction in their wake, with some alleged to have fathered children with their targets before disappearing from their lives.
The scandal, which involved undercover officers spying on primarily left-leaning activist groups between 1970 and 2010, has been a known issue for some time. However, the upcoming documentary promises to reveal the true scale and impact of the deception, showcasing the devastating consequences for those affected.
One of the individuals featured in the series, identified only as Jacqui, recounts her harrowing experience of discovering that her son’s father was an undercover officer two decades after their relationship ended. The officer in question, Bob Lambert, is accused of abandoning Jacqui and their child, fabricating a story about having to flee the country to evade arrest.
The victims of these ‘spy cops’ have faced immense challenges in uncovering the truth about their former partners. The documentary, a collaboration between ITV and the Guardian, follows the journey of five women who pieced together clues to expose the real identities of the undercover officers who infiltrated their lives.
Unveiling a Dark Legacy
The documentary highlights the stories of more than 50 women who have been confirmed as victims of the undercover officers, showcasing the devastating impact of their actions. These officers, who were part of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPIOU), operated covertly for decades, monitoring over 1,000 campaign groups, including the family of Stephen Lawrence, a young man tragically murdered in 1993.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May established a public inquiry in 2015 to investigate these practices, with retired judge John Mitting leading the charge. The inquiry aims to uncover the extent of the deception used to target these women and determine who within the system was aware of the officers’ actions.
Last year, the inquiry heard from chief barrister David Barr, who unequivocally stated that the use of sexual deception by the undercover officers was unjustified. Of the 139 officers involved in spying activities, 25 have been confirmed to have engaged in sexual relationships with their targets, while three others deny such allegations.
A Closer Look at the Deception
One of the most notorious cases involves Mark Kennedy, an undercover officer who had relationships with at least 11 women in Bristol while spying on them. Eleanor Fairbraida, one of Kennedy’s victims, shared her story of unwittingly befriending and becoming romantically involved with him over a seven-year period.
Kennedy’s elaborate ruse included attending activist gatherings, protests, and even sustaining injuries at the hands of the police to maintain his cover. Fairbraida detailed how Kennedy lived with her and others, fooling them into thinking he was a committed environmental activist while concealing his true identity as an undercover officer.
Another victim, Kate Wilson, entered into a long-term relationship with Kennedy, believing they shared common interests and values. Wilson ultimately took legal action against the Metropolitan Police, winning a landmark tribunal case that exposed the extent of Kennedy’s deception and the police’s complicity in his actions.
The national inquiry is delving into the methods employed by these officers, including the use of deceased children’s identities as cover without their families’ knowledge. The profound impact of these deceptive practices continues to reverberate through the lives of those affected, underscoring the need for accountability and justice.
The families of 20 children whose identities were misappropriated by undercover officers have been notified, shedding light on the callous disregard for ethics and moral boundaries in the pursuit of intelligence gathering. As the inquiry unfolds, the full extent of the damage caused by these ‘spy cops’ is slowly coming to light, prompting a reckoning with the legacy of deceit and betrayal left in their wake.
