Kate Wilson (KW) won this very important case under the Human Rights Act after having been deceived into a long-term, intimate relationship with an undercover police officer, Mark Kennedy (MK). She took the case to the Investigatory Power’s Tribunal (IPT), claiming that the police violated her Human Rights under Articles 3, 8, 10, 11 and 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights. In April 2021, final hearings began, and in January 2022 Kate was awarded damages having successfully won the case.
The police initially unsuccessfully applied for many parts of her claim to be struck out. In their subsequent written defence, the Metropolitan Police had already made significant admissions, including admitting abuse of Articles 3, 8, 10 & 11 of the European Court of Human Rights, and that Mark Kennedy’s managers knew about the relationship. However, there was still much still to fight for. They argued against many of her important contentions including the examining how far up the command chain knowledge of this abuse went. To understand more about what the police admitted, and what they contested, read here.
In 2017, Kate was one of 8 women who have won an historic apology from the Metropolitan Police regarding intimate relationships with undercover police. This case gave clarity that sexual relationships between undercover officers and members of the public under any circumstances are unlawful. Kate’s claim also questioned the legitimacy of political policing in a democratic society, and the legality of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) that is used to authorise such operations.
Summary of the IPT pleadings
Press releases about this case:
September 2018: Police admit managers supported serious human rights abuses, but try to obstruct court from learning more
History of the eight women’s case
Human rights claims
Why this HR claim was heard in the IPT
Investigatory Powers Tribunal
What you can do
We are looking for campaigning allies against undercover policing and the surveillance state. It is intimidating to take on the state alone, and together we are stronger.
……write us messages of support… organise solidarity actions….. help us campaign on the issue….. share on social media…. write about our case…. link to your existing campaigns….
We would be grateful to hear about if you would tell us of any solidarity work you do, and share with us contacts/suggestions for other possible allies.
