The Eight Women’s case can be considered won by all the eight women. In November 2015, the Metropolitan Police gave a full apology, conceding that they had abused the women’s human rights, as part of a settlement. In January 2016, the police withdrew their defence against Kate Wilson, the last women still taking legal action in this case, asking for the judgment to be entered against them in respect of the claims for deceit, assault/battery, misfeasance in public office and negligence.

Parts of the case are still remaining: An investigation into the human rights abuses by the Metropolitan Police, against Kate Wilson, is soon to take place at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the secret court that over sees RIPA.

All of the women now continue their fight for the truth about what happened, and for assurances it will never happen again, as core participants in the Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing.

Case History

This case was first lodged in December 2011 against the Metropolitan Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers(ACPO). It concerned eight women who were deceived into long-term intimate relationships by five officers who had infiltrated social and environmental justice campaigns. The women were represented by Birnberg Peirce and partners.

“The women assert that the actions of the undercover officers breached their rights as protected by the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 3 (no one shall be subject to inhumane and degrading treatment) and Article 8 (respect for private and family life, including the right to form relationships without unjustified interference by the state). The women are also bringing claims for deceit, assault, misfeasance in public office and negligence.”
– Press Release – December 2011

The women’s case included common law claims and human rights claims. In both parts of the case the women faced legal battles by the police, who have attempted to strike out the case, have the case sent to secret court, and who have attempted to hide behind Neither Confirm Nor Deny.

Further background on the case:
> The Case > Our Stories – the eight claimants
> The Case > The Officers – the specific deployments which this case concerns
> The Case > The Command Structures – the subjects of the legal action
> The Case > Legal Battles – an introduction to legal battles and legal procedures around the case

If you have information
If you have information about undercover police officers that you think might be useful to this case, please contact the solicitors for this case, Birnberg Peirce and partners, by emailing
Cassie Laver – LaverC#@#birnbergpeirce.co.uk
and / or
Police Spies Out Of Lives (this support gorup) – contact#@#policespiesoutoflives.org.uk.
(In each case, remove # and # which are there to prevent spam).

Fundraising to support the case
This support group, Police Spies Out of Lives, was formed to support the claimants. We are currently fundraising to help with legal and support costs for those involved in the case.
Read more > Donate

Taking a stand to support the case
The ongoing public discussion and media attention has prompted those involved with the case to issue a clear statement outlining Where We Stand. As a support group for the case, Police Spies Out Of Lives is urging members of the public to sign up to the statement, and to take action on the issues.
Read more > Act Now

Beyond this case
The case does not represent the full range of negative and problematic impacts of undercover policing, nor how the practice has interfered with the recognised vital rights to freedom of expression and association. While we are a support group for this case only, we have briefly outlined further information on the following pages:

We are united in believing that every woman, and every person, has a right to participate in the struggle for social and environmental justice, without fear of persecution, objectification, or interference in their lives.
– Where We Stand

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