John Clinton (alias)
This article is part of the Undercover Research Portal at Powerbase - investigating corporate and police spying on activists
John Clinton is the cover name used by a former undercover officer with the Special Demonstration Squad who was deployed into the International Socialists 1971 to 1974.[1]
For the purposes of the Undercover Policing Inquiry and Operation Herne, they are also referred to by the cipher HN343 (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 undercover
Mitting said in March 2018, that Clinton was deployed into a variety of left-wing groups in the early 1970s.[3]
Said his past as an undercover was kept secret from everyone his family & social circles. Retired from the MPS over 20 years ago.[4]
In the Undercover Policing Inquiry
- 3 August 2017: Inquiry Chair, John Mitting, minded to restrict real name, noting:[4]
- HN343 is still economically active and has a legitimate concern, the cause of which cannot be stated in this document, that if oral evidence were to be given without steps being taken to conceal identity, HN343 would be the subject of media interest which would impair personal and economic life. If HN343 is required to give oral evidence, it is likely that protective measures will have to be taken.
- 27 March 2018: ruling granting restriction over real name and added that unwelcome media interest would also impair and might destroy his earning capacity.[3]
Inquiry documents: Application from MPS to restrict real name only. Open versions of documents not yet published pending final application.[5] See also the NPSCP submissions of 5 October 2017.1 June 2017 Open restriction order application for real name by MPS (open version released 5 March 2018)
Inquiry decisions:
- More details needed before making decision on restriction orders.[6] Minded-To: "The real name cannot be published.[4]
- Cover name to be published[7] which was done on 8 February 2018.[1]
- Provisional decision (5 Mar 2018): restrict real name with application to be heard on 21 March 2018.[8]
- Ruling (Mar 2018): restrict real name.[3]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Email to core participants, '20180208 UPCI to all CPs - HN343 and HN347 cover names', Undercover Research Group, 8 February 2018, referencing update of the webpage UCPI.org.uk/cover-names.
- ↑ 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 3.2 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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 John Mitting, 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, Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI.org.uk), 3 August 2017.
- ↑ David Barr & Kate Wilkinson, Counsel to the Inquiry's explanatory note to accompany the 'Minded to' note 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 Policing Inquiry (UCPI.org.uk), 3 August 2017.
- ↑ Press Release: 'Minded to' note, ruling and directions in respect of anonymity applications relating to former officers of the Special Demonstration Squad, Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI.org.uk), 3 August 2017.
- ↑ Counsel to the Inquiry's Explanatory note to accompany the 'Minded-To' Note (2) in respect for restrictions over the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 14 November 2017.
- ↑ Press notice - Publication of documents relatign to Special Demonstration Squad anonymity applications for hearing on 21 March 2018, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 5 March 2018.
