On Tuesday 14th January 2025 the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) will hear evidence from a woman known as ‘Liz’, an animal rights activist deceived into a long-term, intimate sexual relationship by an undercover officer known as HN1.
HN1 will give evidence between 15th-17th January. The Inquiry Chair has ruled that HN1’s real identity will be restricted from the public, including ‘Liz’ and all of those he spied upon. It is understood this restriction order has been granted in order to protect HN1’s ECHR Article 8 rights to a ‘…private and family life’. This decision has compounded the stress caused to ‘Liz’ and she is unlikely to even be able to see the face of HN1 as he gives evidence.
In 2015, Christopher Pitchford – then Chair of the UCPI – ruled that anyone who had a relationship with an undercover officer would have the right to know the officer’s real name. The current Chair, Sir John Mitting, initially upheld this ruling but now appears to have reversed that decision. Additionally, the reasons for HN1’s anonymity application have even been restricted from the public.
‘Liz’ was a long-standing animal rights activist when she met HN1. She says:
All I wanted to do was exercise my democratic right to protest on behalf of all the abused animals with no voice. Animals in laboratories, fur farms, factory farms and the general slaughter of the innocent. I did nothing wrong but was targeted by an undercover police officer who didn’t just spy on me and fellow activists but actually deceived me in to a two-year sexual relationship and wrote reports about my private life.
He has now used Article 8 in the Undercover Policing Inquiry to avoid facing the activists he deceived. He claims he has ‘…a right to privacy’. Where was my right to privacy when he was collating ‘intelligence’ on me? He has abused my trust, my body and caused me great distress. He also hindered our fight for justice for animals.
The state has colluded with him – they have granted him total anonymity and meanwhile I am not even given the right to know the name of the man who I had a sexual relationship with for two years’
- Representatives of the media can apply for a private zoom link to follow proceedings remotely here. We understand that registrations made by 4.30pm will be reviewed that evening for access to be granted the next day if eligible.
- The public gallery at Aldwych House, London, WC2B 4HN will be open. There is limited space in the gallery, so it is recommended to register to attend in advance. The registration page says that registration/ has closed, however press who wish to attend can contact the Inquiry direct.
- Campaigners have been producing summaries of the evidence heard so far that you can access here.
If you have concerns about accessing the hearings, questions about how to get video footage for broadcast media, or any other queries, please contact the Inquiry directly: press.queries@ucpi.org.uk
