A former Metropolitan Police undercover officer, Mark Jenner, has told an inquiry that his relationship with an activist he was spying on was an 'open secret' among his colleagues. Mr Jenner, who operated under the alias Mark Cassidy for five years between 1995 and 2000, infiltrated environmental and animal rights groups as part of his duties. His testimony forms part of the ongoing Undercover Policing Inquiry, which is examining the controversial tactics used by various police forces over more than three decades.
During his evidence to the inquiry, Mr Jenner acknowledged that while he was never explicitly instructed to form sexual relationships with those he was monitoring, he understood it to be a potential consequence of his deep cover work. He stated that his superiors were aware of his relationship and that it was not concealed from them. This revelation highlights the complex and ethically fraught nature of long-term undercover operations, particularly concerning the personal lives of both officers and the individuals they are investigating.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry, chaired by Sir John Mitting, was established in 2015 following a series of revelations about police spies forming long-term relationships and even having children with activists. It aims to investigate the extent of these practices, the authorisation processes involved, and the impact on individuals and their families. The inquiry's scope covers undercover policing operations from 1968 to 2013, involving both the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU).
Mr Jenner's testimony adds to a growing body of evidence presented to the inquiry, which has heard from numerous former officers and individuals who were spied upon. Many of the activists involved have expressed profound distress and feelings of betrayal upon discovering the true identities and intentions of their partners. The inquiry's findings are expected to shed light on accountability within the police force and potentially lead to recommendations for future oversight and regulations regarding undercover operations.
The Metropolitan Police has previously apologised for the conduct of some of its undercover officers, acknowledging the distress caused to individuals who were deceived into relationships. The implications of such practices extend to public trust in policing and the balance between legitimate intelligence gathering and the fundamental rights of citizens to privacy and freedom from deception. The inquiry continues to hear evidence, with further testimonies expected from other former officers and affected individuals.