It’s my privilege to represent 4 families whose lives were turned upside down by the revelations that undercover police officers appropriated the identities of their deceased relatives #spycops https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/07/met-police-legal-action-spies-use-dead-childrens-identities?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

The death of a child or sibling is one of the hardest experiences to bear. But their grief has been reignited & their memories are now forever tarnished, because now they are blended with images of officers (some who committed crimes & initiated unlawful sexual relationships)

Ex #spycop @realspycop says he was obliged to undertake this identity theft - and he “weaved his own memories into that of the [dead] child” he said it “felt like he was stamping on their memory” - that is how the families feel too.

Police showed a callous disregard for the appalling bereavements suffered by the families and failed to uphold a basic standard of human dignity https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55202088

The discreditable & unlawful actions by #spycops resulted from a complete failure of police leadership & external governance + the culture of secrecy & isolation of the unit - the #CHISBILL threats to create an environment where these wrongs could happen again.

@metpoliceuk have institutionally been aware of this ”ghoulish” practice for years. It affects at least 42 families who have lost loved ones. But so far none of them have had an explanation, they have been provided with no documents & received no meaningful apology.

For anyone wanting to know more about the families, what they have been through and what we know of this disgusting practice - here is a link to our submissions to the Public Inquiry https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201023-Opening_Statement-Bindmans_Cat_F_CPs-AMENDED_06.11.20.pdf