Met accused of hiding ‘dirty secrets’ in undercover cases

Scotland Yard has been accused of trying to “hide its dirty secrets” after it sought secret hearings for cases brought by female activists who had sexual relationships with undercover police officers.

Eleven women and one man are suing the Met for emotional trauma after claiming they were tricked into forming intimate relationships with undercover officers.

One woman claims an undercover officer fathered her child and is planning a landmark legal claim that will test whether the Met should bear some financial responsibility for the child’s upbringing.

The cases have been lodged in the High Court, but the Met argues that some cases should be heard by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

The Met claims that because its undercover operations were authorised under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, the cases cannot be heard in a normal court.

Jenny Jones, deputy chair of the London Assembly’s police and crime committee, told The Times: “I’m very concerned about this because clearly the Met is trying to hide its dirty laundry.”