Police spy unit caused ‘outrage and pain’ as it infiltrated leftwing groups

Judge-led inquiry rules Scotland Yard unit acted in a sexist and racist way and intrusions were not justified

A judge-led public inquiry has found that an undercover police unit that infiltrated leftwing political groups caused “outrage and pain” to the public and acted in a sexist and racist way.

The inquiry ruled the Scotland Yard unit was not justified in intruding deeply into the private lives of campaigners, including their sexual relationships, and suggested it should have been disbanded early in its existence.