James Straven (alias) - Revision history

Eveline at 15:53, 24 July 2024

2024-07-24T15:53:10Z

Eveline at 07:44, 26 June 2019

2019-06-26T07:44:07Z

Eveline at 14:51, 22 March 2019

2019-03-22T14:51:14Z

Eveline: /* Personal Details */

2019-03-03T08:13:24Z

Personal Details

Eveline at 11:53, 2 March 2019

2019-03-02T11:53:21Z

Show changes

Eveline at 11:56, 17 January 2019

2019-01-17T11:56:37Z

Peter Salmon at 15:38, 7 January 2019

2019-01-07T15:38:49Z

Eveline: /* November 2017 application for anonymity */

2018-11-22T22:29:37Z

November 2017 application for anonymity

Eveline: /* November 2017 application for anonymity */

2018-11-22T14:48:07Z

November 2017 application for anonymity

Eveline at 08:44, 2 November 2018

2018-11-02T08:44:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:53, 24 July 2024
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	* Also see part two of the profile: [[James Straven (alias) and the Undercover Policing Inquiry]]		* Also see part two of the profile: [[James Straven (alias) and the Undercover Policing Inquiry]]
		+
		+	'''+++++++++++++++++++++++++ last updated in 2018 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++'''

	==Deployment==		==Deployment==

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 After the Criminal Justice Act came into power in 1994, hunt sab groups were often subjected to heavy and oppressing policing.<ref name = WikiHSA/>
-The SDS started targeting hunt saboteur groups in the mid-1980s; [Bob Lambert] - using the name Bob Robinson - infiltrated the Hackney Hunt Saboteurs. According the independent Undercover Policing Inquiry, more than a dozen groups have been targeted since. For an overview, see [https://undercoverresearch.net/ Spycops Targets: a Who's Who] (and search for 'Hunt Saboteurs').
+The SDS started targeting hunt saboteur groups in the mid-1980s; [[Bob Lambert]] - using the name Bob Robinson - infiltrated the Hackney Hunt Saboteurs. According the independent Undercover Policing Inquiry, more than a dozen groups have been targeted since. For an overview, see [https://undercoverresearch.net/ Spycops Targets: a Who's Who] (and search for 'Hunt Saboteurs').
 The Croydon Hunt Sab group attracted members from a wide area across the South East, including people based in Surrey, Sussex and Kent. At different times the Croydon hunt sabs would get together with other local sab groups such as Brixton, Guildford and Brighton for joint protests against a given hunt. Straven was a regular member of the Croydon Hunt Sabs between 1998 - 2001, and would come out sometimes even twice a week, enabled by the flexibility of his work. More specifically, people remember James sabbing the following hunts on a regular base:

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 {{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name=HN16 / N16|Alias=James Straven (Kevin Crossland)|Series=undercover police officers|Image=James profile 1.JPG |Unit=Special Demonstration Squad|DatesDeployed=1997-2002|Targets=Animal Liberation Front, Brixton and Croydon Hunt Saboteurs}}
 In September 2018, the Inquiry revealed that the undercover officer known as HN16 had been using two identities 'James Straven' and 'Kevin Crossland'. He was said to be deployed into the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and the Brixton and Croydon Hunt Saboteurs between 1997 and 2002. He deceived two women into intimate relationships while being deployed.
@@ Line 7: / Line 6: @@
 The two women James had a relationship with have meanwhile been accepted by the Inquiry, and have been granted anonymity. Therefore we use their pseudonyms here, 'Ellie' and 'Sara'.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.20Sep2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180920_ruling_core_participants_21.pdf Core participants Ruling 21] Undercover Policing Inquiry, 20 September 2018 (accessed 21 Sep 2018)</ref><ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180920_ruling_core_participants_21.pdf Core participants Ruling 23] Undercover Policing Inquiry, 25 October 2018 (accessed 29 Oct 2018)</ref>
-Because James indeed had been in relationships, Mitting revoked his decision to restrict his real name in October 2018, only publishing it in February 2019.<ref>Sir John Mitting. [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/20190221_press_release_NPOIU_Issues_list_and_Minded_to_and_ruling_14.pdf PRESS NOTICE
+Because James indeed had been in relationships, Mitting revoked his decision to restrict his real name in October 2018, only publishing it in February 2019.<ref>Sir John Mitting. [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/20190221_press_release_NPOIU_Issues_list_and_Minded_to_and_ruling_14.pdf PRESS NOTICE New issues lists published as Inquiry makes further anonymity decisions], 21 February 2019 (accessed March 2019)</ref>
 ''This profile is a work in progress, we are still looking for people who knew James Straven (or Kevin Crossland for that matter). If you can help fill in the gaps, please [mailto:contact@undercoverresearch.net get in touch].''

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 ==Personal Details==
 ===Background===
 James said he was the son of a Scottish laird, and that his father had an army background, those two stories kept coming back in interviews, though details are vague and divergent. There was a family association with a small Scottish village; he claimed his family had their own pew in the local church.<ref name = Interview.John.18Nov2018 /> He half-jokingly said his family owned half of Scotland.<ref name = Interview.Sara.1Nov2018 /> He also said that his father was in some kind of Special Forces in Scotland; Marc remembers he had been relatively high–up in the Gurkha regiment.<ref name = Interview.Marc.26Nov2018 /> (See below, in Abroad - India).
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 ===Age===
 Straven told Sara she was two years his senior, thus born in or around 1968 and 30 or 31 in 1998 when they started going out. Ellie says he told her he was 33 or 34 when they had a relationship, they once celebrated his birthday on 24th November. In reality he was born in December 1963.
 ==Personality==

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 '''HN16 / N16''' is the cipher given to a former undercover officer with the [[Special Demonstration Squad]]. He is a core participant in the Undercover Policing Inquiry and is represented by Slater & Gordon. On 8 December 2017, the Inquiry Chair, John Mitting, granted HN16 anonymity in his real name.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.5Dec17"/>
-''N.B. As for now, this profie is based on material from the Inquiry only; we very much want to [mailto:contact@undercoverresearch.net get in touch]  with people who knew this spycop and can tell us more.''
+''N.B. As for now, this profile is based on material from the Inquiry only; we very much want to [mailto:contact@undercoverresearch.net get in touch]  with people who knew this spycop and can tell us more.''
 ==Cover names==

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 ====Minded-to & Rulings of October 2017 - January 2018====
-Inquiry Chair John Mitting consistently indicated that he was minded to release HN16's cover name, but restrict his real name. Eventually he ruled that HN16's cover name was all that was required to fulfil the Inquiry's purposes, though if relevant wrong-doing came to light during his deployment, a case to release the real name could be made.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.5Dec17">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205-anonymity-ruling-SD-Dec-2017.pdf Applications for restriction orders in respect of the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad: Ruling], Undercover Policing Inquiry, 5 December 2017 (accessed 9 December 2017).</ref>
+Inquiry Chair John Mitting consistently indicated that he was minded to release HN16's cover name, but restrict his real name. Eventually he ruled (following a closed hearing<ref name="wilkinson.ucpi.cti.update.13Sept2018"/>) that HN16's cover name was all that was required to fulfil the Inquiry's purposes, though if relevant wrong-doing came to light during his deployment, a case to release the real name could be made.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.5Dec17">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205-anonymity-ruling-SD-Dec-2017.pdf Applications for restriction orders in respect of the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad: Ruling], Undercover Policing Inquiry, 5 December 2017 (accessed 9 December 2017).</ref>
 A series of notes and rulings document Mitting's decision making process in chronological order:
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 * [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180131-Counsels-note-publication-of-open-SDS-anonymity-applications-.pdf The Counsel to the Inquiry's note of 31 January 2018] responded to this.<ref>David Barr, QC &amp; Kate Wilkinson, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180131-Counsels-note-publication-of-open-SDS-anonymity-applications-.pdf Counsel to the Inquiry's note on the future approach to the publication of open evidence in support of key anonymity applications], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 31 January 2018 (accessed 3 February 2018 via UCPI.org.uk).</ref>
 ====Covernames released and women accepted autumn 2018====
-HN16's cover names 'James Straven' and 'Kevin Crossland' were released on 20 September 2018, and 'Ellie' was accepted as core participant to the Inquiry on the same day.<ref name="ucpi.press.20Sep18"/>
+HN16's cover names 'James Straven' and 'Kevin Crossland' were released on 20 September 2018, and 'Ellie' was accepted as core participant to the Inquiry on the same day.<ref name="ucpi.press.20Sep18"/> 'Sara' was accepted on 25 October 2018.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018"/>
 ==Notes==
 <references />

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 ===November 2017 application for anonymity===
-'''Application material'''
+'''HN 16 Application for anonimity documents'''
 * [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20170306-medical-report-HN16.pdf N16 Medico-legal psychiatric report (Dr Walter Busuttil, 6 March 2017) - fully gisted], concluding that 'should N16's undercover and true identity be revealed medical issues will become more severe'.
 * [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20170615-statement-HN16.pdf N16 Second Additional Statement in Support of Anonymity (15 June 2017) - fully gisted], setting out 'N16's concerns as to the impact on current and future employment should his cover or real identity be revealed'.
 * [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171011-further-submissions-HN16.pdf HN16 - further written submissions to Inquiry in support of restriction order application (11 October 2017) - partial release]. The Chair has written to N16 seeking to 'clarify the basis of the application for the restriction order being sought. N16 replied saying it was on basis of:
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 : The gisted version of this document also notes that it makes supporting submissions 'regarding the threats resulting from public campaigns' and references 'a bundle of press articles to demonstrate types of direct action which have blighted the lives and careers of those affected in recent years.' This is presumably the S&G [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Media-coverage-bundle.pdf Media Coverage Bundle] also released in the November documents. The further written submissions also touch on the various other issues such as the public interest in his case, the risk of 'jigsaw' identification, possible harm under Article 8, possible harm to third parties and effectiveness or otherwise of possible mitigation measures.
 * [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171016-statement-HN16.pdf HN16 - further written statement to Inquiry (16 October 2017) - fully gisted], answering three questions from the Inquiry 'arising from the circumstances of HN16's deployment as an undercover officer.
-====Minded-to & Ruling of December 2017====
+* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171110-HN16-risk-assessment.pdf N16 - Risk Assessment (David Reid, 10 November 2017) - mostly gisted)] - this is the third version as Kevin Shanahan no longer employed for such assessments, with David Reid taking over from him.
-Inquiry Chair, John Mitting, consistently indicated that he was minded to release HN16's cover name, but restrict his real name. This was set out in his initial Minded-To note on this application (Oct 2017) and followed on from a closed hearing.<ref name="explan.note.cti.14Nov17">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171114-updated-explanatory-note.pdf 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 (accessed 15 November 2017).</ref><ref name="upci.pr.23Oct2017">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171023-press-release-SDS-anonymity-and-ROA-1974.pdf Supplementary ‘Minded to’ note on anonymity, updated and additional hearing dates, directions to the Metropolitan Police Service], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 23 October 2017 (accessed 23 October 2017 via UCPI.org.uk).</ref>
+* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171114-updated-explanatory-note.pdf The Explanatory Note to the Minded-To note on HN16's application (14 November 2017)].<ref name="explan.note.cti.14Nov17">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171114-updated-explanatory-note.pdf 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 (accessed 15 November 2017).</ref>
-Issues raised in the supplementary 'minded to' were addressed in follow-up submissions from the NPSCPs,<ref>Phillippa Kaufmann, QC &amp; Ruth Brander, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171106-submissions-re-SDS-tranche-1-NPNSCPs.pdf Submissions on behalf of the Non-Police, Non-State Core Participants re the Chairman's 'Minded To' note dated 23 October 2017 concerning restriction order applications], 6 November 2017 (accessed 3 February 2018 via UCPI.org.uk).</ref> and Peter Francis.<ref>Maya Sikand [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171106-submissions-re-SDS-tranche-1-Francis.pdf Submissions on behalf of Peter Francis re The Chairman's Supplementary 'Minded To' note dated 23 October 2017 re restriction order applications], 6 November 2017 (accessed via UCPI.org.uk 3 February 2018).</ref>
+* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171121-Anonymity-application-hearing-day-2-Draft-Transcript.pdf Hearing of 21 November 2017]: HN16's open application was heard.<ref name="ucpi.hearing.transcript.21Nov17">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171121-Anonymity-application-hearing-day-2-Draft-Transcript.pdf Transcript of hearing of 21 November 2017], Undercover Policing Inquiry, 21 November 2017.</ref>
-HN16's open application was heard at the hearing of 21 November 2017<ref name="ucpi.hearing.transcript.21Nov17">[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171121-Anonymity-application-hearing-day-2-Draft-Transcript.pdf Transcript of hearing of 21 November 2017], Undercover Policing Inquiry, 21 November 2017.</ref> and on 5 December 2017, Mitting granted a ruling that there would be a restriction order for HN16's real name, but not his cover name. This was on the grounds that HN16's cover name was all that was required to fulfil the Inquiry's purposes, though if relevant wrong-doing came to light during his deployment, a case to release the real name could be made.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.5Dec17">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205-anonymity-ruling-SD-Dec-2017.pdf Applications for restriction orders in respect of the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad: Ruling], Undercover Policing Inquiry, 5 December 2017 (accessed 9 December 2017).</ref>
+* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205-anonymity-ruling-SD-Dec-2017.pdf Mitting's ruling that there would be a restriction order for HN16's real name], but not his cover name (5 December 2017).
-On 8 December 2017, Mitting granted HN16 a [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171208-restriction-order-HN16.pdf restriction order for his real name].
+* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180111-NPNSCP-consultation-response-sanitised.pdf Non-police/state core participants general submissions (11 January 2018)] raised the matter of HN16's economics situation and how much could be said about it.<ref>Phillippa Kaufmann, QC &amp; Ruth Brander, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180111-NPNSCP-consultation-response-sanitised.pdf Non-police, non-state core participants response to consultation on disclosure in the context of SDS anonymity applications], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 11 January 2018.</ref>
-The matter of HN16's economics situation and how much could be said about it was raised by the non-police/state core participants in their general submissions of 11 January 2018,<ref>Phillippa Kaufmann, QC &amp; Ruth Brander, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180111-NPNSCP-consultation-response-sanitised.pdf Non-police, non-state core participants response to consultation on disclosure in the context of SDS anonymity applications], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 11 January 2018.</ref> and responded to in the Counsel to the Inquiry's note of 31 January 2018.<ref>David Barr, QC &amp; Kate Wilkinson, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180131-Counsels-note-publication-of-open-SDS-anonymity-applications-.pdf Counsel to the Inquiry's note on the future approach to the publication of open evidence in support of key anonymity applications], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 31 January 2018 (accessed 3 February 2018 via UCPI.org.uk).</ref>
+* [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180131-Counsels-note-publication-of-open-SDS-anonymity-applications-.pdf The Counsel to the Inquiry's note of 31 January 2018] responded to this.<ref>David Barr, QC &amp; Kate Wilkinson, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180131-Counsels-note-publication-of-open-SDS-anonymity-applications-.pdf Counsel to the Inquiry's note on the future approach to the publication of open evidence in support of key anonymity applications], ''Undercover Policing Inquiry'', 31 January 2018 (accessed 3 February 2018 via UCPI.org.uk).</ref>
-====Covernames released and women accepted Sep/Oct 2018====
+====Covernames released and women accepted autumn 2018====
-HN16's cover names 'James Straven' and 'Kevin Crossland' were released on 20 September 2018, while 'Ellie' was accepted as core participant to the Inquiry on the same day.<ref name="ucpi.press.20Sep18"/>
+HN16's cover names 'James Straven' and 'Kevin Crossland' were released on 20 September 2018, and 'Ellie' was accepted as core participant to the Inquiry on the same day.<ref name="ucpi.press.20Sep18"/>
-'Sara' was accepted as core participant on 25 October 2018.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018"/>
+'Sara' was accepted on 25 October 2018.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018"/>
 ==Notes==
 <references />

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 'Ellie' has now been accepted as a core participant to the Inquiry.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.20Sep2018"/>.
-'Straven' also lied about having had a relationship with 'Sarah', identified by the Inquiry by her real name. After Mitting refused to accept his denial, 'Straven' admitted this relationship as well. The Inquiry made contact with her.
+'Straven' also lied about having had a relationship with 'Sara', identified by the Inquiry by her real name. After Mitting refused to accept his denial, 'Straven' admitted this relationship as well. The Inquiry made contact with her.
-'Sarah's' relationship took place between late 1998 and March 2001 approximately, according to the Inquiry. She too has been accepted as a core participant.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180920_ruling_core_participants_21.pdf Core participants Ruling 23] Undercover Policing Inquiry, 25 October 2018 (accessed 29 Oct 2018)</ref>
+'Sara's' relationship took place between late 1998 and March 2001 approximately, according to the Inquiry. She too has been accepted as a core participant.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018">Sir John Mitting, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180920_ruling_core_participants_21.pdf Core participants Ruling 23] Undercover Policing Inquiry, 25 October 2018 (accessed 29 Oct 2018)</ref>
 ==Background==
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 HN16's cover names 'James Straven' and 'Kevin Crossland' were released on 20 September 2018, while 'Ellie' was accepted as core participant to the Inquiry on the same day.<ref name="ucpi.press.20Sep18"/>
-'Sarah' was accepted as core participant on 25 October 2018.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018"/>
+'Sara' was accepted as core participant on 25 October 2018.<ref name="ucpi.ruling.25Oct2018"/>
 ==Notes==
 <references />