Undercover operations by spy cops 'unjustified

UNDERCOVER police operations into left-wing activist groups have been branded "unjustified" and would have been "brought to a rapid end" if the public had known what was going on, a report has found.

- Paul Jeeves

Retired judge Sir John Mitting is examining the conduct of 139 officers who spied on more than 1,000 groups, including women's rights campaigners, union leaders and people fighting for justice for murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Male police spies were later found to have formed sexual relationships, and even fathered children, with female activists who were unaware of their true identities.