REVEALED: Met officers ‘monitored at least 17 campaigns fighting for justice’
THE Met spied on 17 justice campaigns for murder victims and those who died following police contact over 35 years, it was revealed yesterday.
Among those who were monitored are the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police in July 2005.
The disclosure was made by Derbyshire Chief Constable Mick Creedon, who is leading Operation Herne examining the conduct of undercover officers from Scotland Yard’s Special Demonstration Squad (SDS).
Mr Creedon said: “Operation Herne has identified emerging evidence that in addition to the Stephen Lawrence Campaign, a number of other justice campaigns have been mentioned within SDS records. Seventeen justice campaigns have been identified so far.
“These range between 1970 and 2005, and are as a result of deaths in police custody, following police contact and the victims of murders.”
A spokeswoman for the de Menezes Family Campaign said: “It is shameful that the Metropolitan Police spied on the legitimate campaign activities of a grieving family who were simply trying to get the answers they deserved after their loved one was killed by police officers.