HN53 - Revision history

Eveline at 11:33, 25 June 2026

2026-06-25T11:33:51Z

Peter Salmon at 17:44, 10 January 2019

2019-01-10T17:44:14Z

Peter Salmon at 16:03, 10 January 2019

2019-01-10T16:03:04Z

Peter Salmon at 20:01, 3 August 2018

2018-08-03T20:01:52Z

Peter Salmon at 14:24, 3 August 2018

2018-08-03T14:24:06Z

Peter Salmon at 12:28, 20 July 2018

2018-07-20T12:28:48Z

Peter Salmon: Created page with "{{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name='HN53'|Alias=unknown|Series=undercover police officers|Image=Male_silhouette.png |Unit=Special Demonstration Squad|DatesDeployed=1980s..."

2018-07-17T15:15:39Z

Created page with "{{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name='HN53'|Alias=unknown|Series=undercover police officers|Image=Male_silhouette.png |Unit=Special Demonstration Squad|DatesDeployed=1980s..."

New page

{{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name='HN53'|Alias=unknown|Series=undercover police officers|Image=Male_silhouette.png |Unit=Special Demonstration Squad|DatesDeployed=1980s|Targets=unknown}}

''HN53 / N53'' is the cipher given to a former undercover officer with the [[Special Demonstration Squad]] who was deployed undercover in the 1980s. They were later second in operational command of the SDS 1998-2005. The chair of the Undercover Policing Inquiry, John Mitting, has indicated he is minded to restrict both HN53's real and cover names.

* ''For details of the N-numbers cipher system see the [[N officers]] page.''

==As an SDS undercover==

Authored a series of internal memos in 2002 in relation to a joint operation with the National Criminal Intelligence Service known as Op. Wisdom - in relation to the use of the 'Jackal run' process of using a deceased person's identity to obtain passports. According to [[Operation Herne]]: 'N53 explained that he believed that between 1968 and 2002 there had been one hundred and two (102) SDS officers who had been provided with covert identities. N53’s documentation stated that the majority of these UCO’s would have used a deceased child’s identity.' (Herne I, 5.4 & 6.2).<ref name="herne.1">Mick Creedon, [http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Documents/About-Us/Herne/Operation-Herne---Report-1---Covert-Identities.pdf Operation Herne Report 1: Covert Identities], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', July 2013.</ref>

Mentioned as an ex-SDS Det. Insp. in relation to material being passed onto other units: N53, another ex-Det. Insp., told Herne: "The SDS retained nothing that would betray its identity" (Ellison, p. 201).<ref name="ellison.1">Mark Ellison, [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287031/stephen_lawrence_review_volume_1.pdf Possible corruption and the role of undercover policing in the Stephen Lawrence case], ''Stephen Lawrence Independent Review'', Vol. 1, Gov.UK, March 2014</ref>

Briefly mentioned in relation to computerisation of SDS / Special Branch records circa 1998 (Herne II, 13.1).<ref name="herne.2">Mick Creedon, [http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Documents/About-Us/Herne/Operation-Herne---Report-2---Allegations-of-Peter-Francis.pdf Operation Herne: Report 2 - Allegations of Peter Francis], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', March 2014.</ref>

==In the Undercover Policing Inquiry==

* Jan 2018: more time granted 'to provide the Chairman with information in order for him to make a decision'.<ref name="ucpi.pr.25Jan18">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180124-December-minded-to-press-note.pdf Press Notice: Decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 25 January 2018.</ref><ref name="mitting.mindedto4.25Jan2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180125-December-tranche-impact-led-and-HN353-minded-to-sanitised.pdf 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 Special Demonstration Squad - 'Minded To' Note 4], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 25 January 2018.</ref>

* May 2018, Mitting indicated he was minded to restrict HN53's real and cover names in the Inquiry,<ref name="ucpi.pr.23May2018">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/201805223-PN_SDS_MT_9.pdf 'Minded to' decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad Ruling on HN122], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 23 May 2018.</ref> stating:
:: HN53 was second in operational command of the SOS from 1998 -2005. His evidence is of significant importance to he Inquiry and must be given in public,albeit with protective measures taken, to protect his identity. He was also deployed as an undercover officer in the 1980s, in circumstances which are also of interest to the Inquiry. None of the members of the group against which he was deployed pose any threat to his safety. Nevertheless, if his identity were to be made public, there would be significant damage to the public interest and his safety would be put at real risk. Articles 2 and 3 ECHR may not be engaged, because the risk is contingent, not immediate, but Article 8 is. Publication of his real name would interfere with at least one aspect of his right to private life - his physical integrity and would not be justified under Article 8 (2). The risk created by publication of his cover name, when deployed, is less, but still cannot be run, for the same reasons.
:: A closed note accompanies these reasons.

==Notes==

<references />

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:33, 25 June 2026
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	* ''For details of the N-numbers cipher system see the [[N officers]] page.''		* ''For details of the N-numbers cipher system see the [[N officers]] page.''
		+
		+	<b>++++++++++++++ Last updated in January 2019 +++++++++++++++</b>

	==As a SDS undercover==		==As a SDS undercover==

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:44, 10 January 2019
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	Had a role in the A & B v Commissioner of Metropolitan Police case, in which whistleblower [[Peter Francis]] and one other sued the Metropolitan Police arising out of their time with the SDS.<ref name="nh53.personal.statement.17Nov2017"/>		Had a role in the A & B v Commissioner of Metropolitan Police case, in which whistleblower [[Peter Francis]] and one other sued the Metropolitan Police arising out of their time with the SDS.<ref name="nh53.personal.statement.17Nov2017"/>
		+
		+	[[HN30]] noted that HN53 along with the then head of unit, DCI HN36 had introduced a system whereby undercovers were required to visit a psychiatrist on a regular basis, with additional appointments available if require.<ref name="hn30.ra.28Aug2018"/>

	==In the Undercover Policing Inquiry==		==In the Undercover Policing Inquiry==

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 Detective Inspector in SDS 1998 to 2005, as second in operational command. As such, he stated: 'I took
 over from Bob Lambert. I thought that his systems were over complicated, i.e. the want for secrecy made things cumbersome'. He also said he 'was involved in formulating the policy for psychiatric monitoring, outside of the usual MPS process which was seen as a box-ticking exercise. He also performed as a cover officer and managed undercover officers.<ref name="nh53.personal.statement.17Nov2017"/>
 Authored a series of internal memos in 2002 in relation to a joint operation with the National Criminal Intelligence Service known as Op. Wisdom - in relation to the use of the 'Jackal run' process of using a deceased person's identity to obtain passports. According to [[Operation Herne]]: 'N53 explained that he believed that between 1968 and 2002 there had been one hundred and two (102) SDS officers who had been provided with covert identities. N53’s documentation stated that the majority of these UCO’s would have used a deceased child’s identity.' (Herne I, 5.4 & 6.2).<ref name="herne.1">Mick Creedon, [http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Documents/About-Us/Herne/Operation-Herne---Report-1---Covert-Identities.pdf Operation Herne Report 1: Covert Identities], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', July 2013.</ref>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name='HN53'|Alias=unknown|Series=undercover police officers|Image=Male_silhouette.png |Unit=Special Demonstration Squad|DatesDeployed=1980s|Targets=unknown}}
-''HN53 / N53'' is the cipher given to a former undercover officer with the [[Special Demonstration Squad]] who was deployed undercover in the 1980s. They were later second in operational command of the SDS 1998-2005 (as Det. Insp.<ref name="nh53.personal.statement.17Nov2017">'HN53', [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20171117-HN53_impact_statement.pdf HN53 Impact Statement], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', 17 November 2017, published 9 July 2018 via ucpi.org.uk.</ref>). The chair of the Undercover Policing Inquiry, John Mitting, has indicated he is minded to restrict both HN53's real and cover names.<ref name="ucpi.pr.9July2018"/>
+''HN53 / N53'' is the cipher given to a former undercover officer with the [[Special Demonstration Squad]] who was deployed undercover in the 1980s. They were later second in operational command of the SDS 1998-2005 (as Det. Insp.<ref name="nh53.personal.statement.17Nov2017">'HN53', [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20171117-HN53_impact_statement.pdf HN53 Impact Statement], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', 17 November 2017, published 9 July 2018 via ucpi.org.uk.</ref>). The chair of the Undercover Policing Inquiry, John Mitting, has ruled to restrict both HN53's real and cover names in the Inquiry.<ref name="mitting.ruling11.30July2018"/>
 * ''For details of the N-numbers cipher system see the [[N officers]] page.''
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ==In the Undercover Policing Inquiry==
-* Jan 2018: more time granted 'to provide the Chairman with information in order for him to make a decision'.<ref name="ucpi.pr.25Jan18">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180124-December-minded-to-press-note.pdf Press Notice: Decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 25 January 2018.</ref><ref name="mitting.mindedto4.25Jan2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180125-December-tranche-impact-led-and-HN353-minded-to-sanitised.pdf 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 Special Demonstration Squad - 'Minded To' Note 4], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 25 January 2018.</ref>
+* 25 January 2018: more time granted 'to provide the Chairman with information in order for him to make a decision'.<ref name="ucpi.pr.25Jan18">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180124-December-minded-to-press-note.pdf Press Notice: Decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 25 January 2018.</ref><ref name="mitting.mindedto4.25Jan2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180125-December-tranche-impact-led-and-HN353-minded-to-sanitised.pdf 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 Special Demonstration Squad - 'Minded To' Note 4], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 25 January 2018.</ref>
-* May 2018: Mitting indicated he was minded to restrict HN53's real and cover names in the Inquiry,<ref name="ucpi.pr.23May2018">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/201805223-PN_SDS_MT_9.pdf 'Minded to' decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad Ruling on HN122], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 23 May 2018.</ref> stating:
+* 23 May 2018: Mitting indicated he was minded to restrict HN53's real and cover names in the Inquiry,<ref name="ucpi.pr.23May2018">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/201805223-PN_SDS_MT_9.pdf 'Minded to' decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad Ruling on HN122], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 23 May 2018.</ref> stating:
-:: HN53 was second in operational command of the SOS from 1998 -2005. His evidence is of significant importance to he Inquiry and must be given in public,albeit with protective measures taken, to protect his identity. He was also deployed as an undercover officer in the 1980s, in circumstances which are also of interest to the Inquiry. None of the members of the group against which he was deployed pose any threat to his safety. Nevertheless, if his identity were to be made public, there would be significant damage to the public interest and his safety would be put at real risk. Articles 2 and 3 ECHR may not be engaged, because the risk is contingent, not immediate, but Article 8 is. Publication of his real name would interfere with at least one aspect of his right to private life - his physical integrity and would not be justified under Article 8 (2). The risk created by publication of his cover name, when deployed, is less, but still cannot be run, for the same reasons.
+:: HN53 was second in operational command of the SOS from 1998 - 2005. His evidence is of significant importance to he Inquiry and must be given in public,albeit with protective measures taken, to protect his identity. He was also deployed as an undercover officer in the 1980s, in circumstances which are also of interest to the Inquiry. None of the members of the group against which he was deployed pose any threat to his safety. Nevertheless, if his identity were to be made public, there would be significant damage to the public interest and his safety would be put at real risk. Articles 2 and 3 ECHR may not be engaged, because the risk is contingent, not immediate, but Article 8 is. Publication of his real name would interfere with at least one aspect of his right to private life - his physical integrity and would not be justified under Article 8 (2). The risk created by publication of his cover name, when deployed, is less, but still cannot be run, for the same reasons.
 :: A closed note accompanies these reasons.
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 ::* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20171117-HN53_impact_statement.pdf HN53 Impact Statement], 17 November 2017.
 : It was also directed that any objections to Mitting's intention to grant the restriction order to be made by 20 July 2018.<ref name="mitting.directions.9July2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20180709-SDS_NPOIU_direction-for-NSCPs-to-respond-to-open-evidence-and-apps.pdf Applications for restriction orders in respect of real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad and of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit - Directions], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 9 July 2018.</ref>
 ==Notes==
 <references />

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ::* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20180613-HN53_risk_assessment.pdf N53 - Risk Assessment], 13 June 2018 (Adrian Baxter).
 ::* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20171117-HN53_impact_statement.pdf HN53 Impact Statement], 17 November 2017.
+: It was also directed that any objections to Mitting's intention to grant the restriction order to be made by 20 July 2018.<ref name="mitting.directions.9July2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20180709-SDS_NPOIU_direction-for-NSCPs-to-respond-to-open-evidence-and-apps.pdf Applications for restriction orders in respect of real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad and of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit - Directions], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 9 July 2018.</ref>
 ==Notes==
 <references />