Undercover police officer accused of setting fire to Debenhams store in 1987

Inquiry into ‘spy cops’ scandal hears Bob Lambert caused £340,000 of damage while posing as animal rights activist

New evidence has emerged to suggest that an undercover police officer set fire to a high street department store while posing as a committed animal rights activist, causing damage worth £340,000, a public inquiry has heard.

The accusation against Bob Lambert, who also fathered a child while undercover and later became a senior police officer, is contained in testimony from one of the conspirators in the arson plot.