If you have followed our campaign for a while, you’ll know the spycops scandal is the subject of an almost decade-long multi-million pound public inquiry into undercover police tactics. We are delighted to announce it is now a gripping three-part documentary series for ITV1 and ITVX: The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed to be broadcast early this Spring – based on the women’s book Deep Deception.
Five of us who were deceived and blew the lid off this scandal, have entrusted ITV, makers of the award-winning drama series Mr Bates Vs the Post Office, to expose how we turned detective to uncover one of the state’s biggest secrets.
Speaking together on camera for the first time (some of us disguised with wigs and make-up to protect our anonymity) we explain the disturbing similarities between our experiences and how we brought the scandal to public attention: from the way we were seduced into these relationships, to the almost identical letters we received when we were abandoned – and ghosted – by the men we loved.
Those of us featured in the documentary have been working together to expose this policing scandal since we first met in 2011. Our lives were devastated by the actions of undercover police and this powerful three-part series highlights how we fought back against dehumanising spycops intrusion and abuse, which was sanctioned by the state for decades to undermine progressive campaigns for change. By shining a light on the role of these undemocratic, secret, political policing units, we hope the programmes contribute to a dramatic shift away from the culture of misogyny that the police and security services have normalised and puts pressure on decision makers to reverse the current legislation that places undercover officers completely beyond the law.
From All3Media production company RAW, makers of Netflix hits The Tinder Swindler, The Puppet Master: Hunting The Ultimate Conman, and American Nightmare, Parole (BBC Two) and London Bridge: Facing Terror (C4), The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed features privileged access to the Guardian journalists who, alongside those of us at the heart of this scandal, broke the story. Together, we exposed the vast, systemic scale of this 40-year undercover policing operation and unearthed the chilling centralised ‘tradecraft manual’ the cops created to guide their abhorrent behaviour. Ultimately, this story is ongoing with a fight for truth and justice that reaches into the present day.
Rebecca North, Executive Producer at RAW, said:
“This is an inspirational, empowering story about women who refused to go away quietly, instead using their ingenuity and tenacity to expose the lies they’d been told by the men they loved, leading to a David vs Goliath battle with the Metropolitan Police. We hope it brings awareness to the scandal.”
Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual ITV said:
“When I first learnt about this story, I was determined it needed to be made for a TV audience – and made for ITV. That these five women finally agreed to give ITV and RAW up close and personal access is testament to their courage and resilience. They have been up against a state sponsored operation and with many of them turning detective, such a twist in the story could be the stuff of a thriller – except this is all too shockingly true. Another British scandal of major importance.”
Commissioned by Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual ITV and Sue Murphy, Head of Factual Entertainment ITV. In association with The Guardian and All3Media International. Award-winning director Lucy Wilcox (Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story) directs The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed. For RAW the Series Producer is Kelly Nobay and Executive Producer is Rebecca North. Head of Production is Nicky Murphy, Production Manager is Daisy Levy and Production Executive is Letisha Kidza. Creative Director is Liesel Evans. Edited by Charlie Webb and filmed by Director of Photography Duncan Stingemore.
