PLEASE NOTE: The women are expected to make a statement as soon as the judgment is handed down. For updates see: https://policespiesoutoflives.org.uk/ and twitter
TODAY: at 9.30am Justice Bean will hand down his judgment on an application to stop the Metropolitan Police using their Neither Confirm Nor Deny (NCND) ‘policy’ to obstruct a legal action against the force over undercover relationships.
The legal action is being brought by eight women who were deceived into long-term intimate relationships by undercover officers who were infiltrating environmental and social justice groups. The women’s common law claims are deceit, assault, misfeasance in public office, and negligence. The women’s supporters accuse the force of institutional sexism and of prejudice against members of the public who engage in social and environmental justice campaigning.
Despite the case being filed in December 2011, the Met has not complied with civil procedure rules which require a defendant to enter a plea and to submit a list of evidence. Instead the force delayed the case – first with a strike out application, which they dropped in March, and then by claiming that NCND prevents them from entering a plea and submitting evidence. The women applied to the High Court to force the Met to comply with procedure, and their application was heard on 5-6 June by Justice Bean.
More information – including quotes from the women and their solicitor at the time of the application:
PRESS RELEASE 3 June 2014: Police accused of “obstructive and distressing approach” over legal action
PRESS RELEASE 6 June 2014: Met police admit for first time in legal case that undercover officers in intimate sexual relationships are not appropriate
Key background in the case against NCND: Why NCND must be rejected….
