Dick Epps (alias)
This article is part of the Undercover Research Portal at Powerbase - investigating corporate and police spying on activists
Dick Epps is the cover name used by a former undercover officer with the Special Demonstration Squad who was deployed into the International Marxist Group, Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and British Communist Party 1969 to 1972. They appeared on 'True Spies' programme under the pseudonym 'Dan' with the approval of senior officers.[1]
For the purposes of the Undercover Policing Inquiry and Operation Herne, they are also referred to by the cipher HN336 (for the N cipher system see N officers). The Inquiry has ruled that the officer's real name will be restricted.[2]
As an SDS officer
Deployed 1969-1972, targeting the International Marxist Group, Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and peripherally the British Communist Party, providing intelligence on other groups. None of them still exist. No allegation of misconduct known. Appeared on 'True Spies' programme under the pseudonym 'Dan' with the approval of senior officers.[1] A 27 Feb 2018 email named his targets as the International Marxist Group and the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign.[3] Following his SDS deployment, worked in the port section and the Industrial Intelligence Section.[4]
In the Undercover Policing Inquiry
- 14 November 2017: Minded-to - Real name cannot be published; cover name will be published.[1]
- 27 Feb 2018: cover name and target groups released by the Inquiry.[3]
- 5 March 2018: provisional decision restrict real name.[5]
- 21 March 2018: application to restrict real name heard in public.[5]
- 27 March 2018: ruling: real name name cannot be published. In granting this, Mitting wrote:[6]
- He believes that if his real name were to be published he would attract media attention which may be intrusive. His concern is not irrational. Publication of his cover name, which has occurred, will permit any member still living of the groups with whom he was involved to give evidence about him. Publication of his real name would serve no useful purpose. The infringement of his right to respect for his private and family life and that of his family would not be justified under Article 8(2) ECHR.
Inquiry documents: Open restriction order application & 'open gist of additional information'.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 In the matter of section 19 (3) of the Inquiries Act 2005 Applications for restriction orders in respect of the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstrations Squad ‘Minded to’ note 2, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 14 November 2017 (accessed 15 November 2017).
- ↑ Kate Wilkinson, Counsel to the Inquiry's Explanatory Note to accompany the Chairman's 'Minded-To' Note 12 in respect of applications for restrictions over the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad, Undercover Public Inquiry, 13 September 2018.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Email to core participants, '20180227_UCPI_all_CPs HN336_cover_name', Undercover Research Group, 27 February 2018, referencing an update of the webpage UCPI.org.uk/cover-names.
- ↑ Inquiry's gist of additional information within the evidence supporting HN336's application for restriction order over real name only - provided to permit argument on facts that have not been considered by the Inquiry to date, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 2 March 2018 (accessed via ucpi.org.uk 10 March 2018).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Press notice - Publication of documents relating to Special Demonstration Squad anonymity applications for hearing on 21 March 2018, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 5 March 2018.
- ↑ Sir John Mitting, In the matter of section 19(3) of the Inquiries Act 2005 Application for restriction order in respect of the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad Ruling 5 , Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI.org.uk), 27 March 2018.
