SDS undercover list

This article is part of the Undercover Research Portal at Powerbase: investigating corporate and police spying on activists.

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Part of a series on the Undercover Policing Inquiry
SDS undercover list
Description:	A list of all publicly known officers who served undercover with the Special Demonstration Squad, 1968-2008

This page carries a full list of publicly identified undercover police officers who served with the Special Demonstration Squad, their anonymity status within the Undercover Policing Inquiry, and with links to profiles were done. For a more comprehensive list of all N/HN officers in Operation Herne, Ellisor Review and the Undercover Policing Inquiry see the N officers page.

Police officers cited in the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) are generally designated by a cypher / nominal starting with N or HN followed by a number. The practice of assigning these cyphers was begun in by the Metropolitan Police inquiry Operation Herne which investigated the activities of the Special Demonstration Squad undercovers. It was subsequently adopted by Mark Ellison for his Review and the UCPI, both of which draw heavily on Operation Herne. The system appears to have changed in 2017, when the Inquiry began using the 'HN' label, though the associated numbers appear unchanged.

• Updated 21 July 2018

Cypher	Name (italics for cover name only)	Position	Notes
HN1	Matt Rayner	SDS undercover	Infiltrated animal rights groups in north London 1991-1996, including London Boots Action Group, London Animal Action, Animal Liberation Front and West London Hunt Saboteurs. Engaged in sexual relationships.
HN2	Andy Coles a.k.a. Andy Davey	SDS undercover and cover officer.	Infiltrated animal rights groups in south London 1991-1995; also targeted peace groups. Engaged in sexual relationships. Authored a version of the SDS Tradecraft manual.
HN3	Jason Bishop	SDS undercover	1998-2006 infiltrated Reclaim the Streets, Earth First! and Disarm DSEi. Real name restricted.
HN4	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed into two branches of one group in late 1980s/early 1990s. June 2018 - minded to restrict real name, cover name application to be considered at closed hearing.
N5 / HN5	John Dines a.k.a. John Barker	SDS undercover officer.	1987-1991 infiltrated London Greenpeace and Animal Liberation Front. Engaged in sexual relationships.
HN6	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed against three groups in 1990s. Details restricted due to risk of violence and mental health issues.
HN7	restricted	SDS undercover officer.	Real and cover name restricted on health grounds. Targets & dates unknown.
HN8	unknown	SDS undercover.	Deployed into one group in 1980s/1990s. Mitting minded to restrict HN8 details due to physical risk.
N9 / HN9	unknown	SDS undercover & cover officer.	Deployed into one group in 1980s; later was a cover officer for officers of interest deployed in 2000s. Named in Ellison Review. Mitting minded to restrict real and cover names as HN9 at risk of suicide if details published.
N10 / HN10	Robert "Bob" Lambert a.k.a. Bob Robinson	SDS undercover and head of unit.	Targeted animal rights groups in north London 1984-1987. Engaged in sexual relationships, including fathering a child by one activist. Later head of the SDS and took part in the Walton-N81 meeting.
HN11	Mike Chitty, a.k.a. Mike Blake	SDS Undercover	1984-1989 deployed into animal rights groups in south London, including South London Animal Movement. Engaged in sexual relationships.
HN12	Mike Hartley	SDS Undercover	1982-1985, deployed into Revolutionary Communist Group and Socialist Workers Party. Engaged in sexual relationships. Deceased.
HN13	Barry / Desmond Loader	SDS undercover	Infiltrated the Communist Party of England (Marxist-Leninist) 1974-1978. Twice prosecuted for public order offences in his cover name and convicted once. Deceased. Real name restricted.
N14 / HN14	Jim Boyling a.k.a. "Grumpy" Jim Sutton	SDS Undercover.	1995-2000 deployed into Essex Hunt Saboteurs, Reclaim the Streets and Earth First! Engaged in sexual relationships and fathered children by an activist.
HN15	Mark Jenner a.k.a. Mark Cassidy	SDS undercover	1995-2000 targeted Colin Roach Centre, Anti-Fascist Action, Independent Working Class Association, Republican Forum. Mentioned by Lambert as an SDS UCO who 'would have involvement in Stephen Lawrence campaign issues' (Ellison page 214). Engaged in sexual relationships.
HN16	cover name to come	SDS undercover
HN17	restricted	SDS undercover	Targeted right wing groups in 1990s (last 15 years of SDS existence).
HN18	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed in 'last period of existence' of SDS. Minded to (June 2018): restrict real name, publish cover name.
HN19	Malcolm Shearing	SDS undercover	1981 to 1985 deployed into Revolutionary Communist Party & Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist/Leninist). Arrested and cautioned for bill posting.
HN20	Tony Williams	SDS undercover	1978 to 1982 deployed into the Revolutionary Communist Tendency and Direct Action Movement.
HN21	cover name to come	SDS undercover	Deployed late 70s / early 80s against one group & reported on others.
HN22	unknown		20 Feb 2018: directed that restriction orders applications to be submitted by end of Feb 2018.
HN23	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed in 1990s. Real and cover name to be restricted.
HN25	Kevin Douglas'	SDS undercover	1987-1991 deployed into the Troops Out Movement
HN26	Christine Green	SDS undercover	Deployed 1994-1999 into animal rights groups.
HN27	likely to be restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed into a number of left wing groups in the 1990s. In 60s. Mitting is minded to restrict both HN27's real and cover names, saying the officer is 'at risk to life and limb' given nature of deployment and activities undertaken. Mentioned in Ellison.
HN28	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed against two groups and reported on others in last 15 years of SDS. Minded to: restrict real and cover names as at risk of serious violence if identity discovered. Had been directed to file anonymity application by 24/27 April 2018. Open application over real and cover names (26 Apr 2018)
HN33/98	Kathryn Lesley 'Lee' Bonser	SDS undercover	1983-1987 infiltrated Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and Socialist Workers Party.
N40	restricted	SDS undercover	Undercover in last decade of the unit. Mentioned in relation to how information from the SDS, particularly on the identities of protestors, was passed on to the rest of the police (Herne II, 13.4, 24.1.3).
HN41	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed against two groups in the 1970s and 1980s, of which the principle target group no longer exists.
N43	Peter Francis, a.k.a. Peter Daley / Johnson / Black	SDS undercover	1993-1997 infiltrated Youth against Racism in Europe and Militant & Socialist Party.
HN44	Darren Prowse	SDS undercover	Tasked to infiltrate the British National Party in 2007. Application made to restrict real name (26 Feb 2018), published 9 July 2018 which Mitting is minded to grant. 20 Feb 2018, directions issued that applications for restriction orders to be submitted by end of Feb 2018.
HN45	Dave Robertson	SDS undercover & back office	1970-1973 infiltrated Banner Books, Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and maoist groups in North London. Worked in back office in SDS in adminstrative role for 3 years in 1980s.
HN53/N53	unknown	SDS undercover & manager	Deployed undercover in 1980s; Second in Operational Command of SDS 1998-2005 (Det. Insp.). Though evidence is of importance to Inquiry, there is a contingent physical risk which justifies restricting real and cover names. Mentioned in Herne I & II, and Ellison.
HN56	Alan 'Nick' Nicholson	SDS undercover	1990-1991 targeted British National Party.
HN60	Dave Evans	SDS undercover	1998-2005 deployed into Socialist Workers Party, London Animal Action & Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty.
HN64	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed against one group in 1990s and reported on others.
HN65	John Kerry	SDS undercover	1980-1984 targeted Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Application made to restrict real and real name (26 Feb 2018), published 9 July 2018 which Mitting is minded to grant for the real name. 20 Feb 2018, directions issued that applications for restriction orders to be submitted by end of Feb 2018.
HN66	to come	SDS undercover	Deployed against a variety of groups in early / mid-2000s, none of which committed acts of serious violence. In 60s. HN66 concerned his real name will be discovered if his cover name is released. Mitting found the fears misplaced and overstated, and if real name discovered, principle impact would be media intrusion 'falling well short of harassment'. A closed note accompanies this reasoning. Mitting thus minded to that real name cannot be published, but the application over cover name refused 'to the extent that it would prohibit disclosure of the names by which HN66 was known to members of the groups targeted'. 15 Jan 2018, granted more time to provide the Inquiry with information in relation to their restriction order application. Full application delayed so minded to decision no reached.
HN67	Alan Bond	SDS undercover	1981- 86 infiltrated Socialist Workers Party.
HN68	Sean Lynch	SDS undercover & manager	1968-74 infiltrated Vietnam Solidarity Campaign, Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, Irish Civil Rights Solidarity Campaign and Sinn Féin (London). Held managerial position in SDS 1982-84. Deceased.
HN71	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed against two groups in 1990s and 2000s / last 15 years of the existence of the SDS.
HN72	unknown	SDS undercover and manager	Deployed for short period in 1980s into one group (inferred as 1986-1987). Held significant managerial position in SDS (approx 2005/6), after Macpherson; considered to have important evidence to give regarding spying on the Lawrence family.
HN76	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed in last years of the SDS into one group and reported on others. Mitting minded to restrict real and cover name as HN76 is a serving police officer 'engaged in sensitive duties', so it wouldnt be in the public interest to 'put performance of those duties at risk'. Had been directed to file anonymity application by 24/27 April 2018.
HN77	Jaqueline Anderson	SDS undercover	2000-2005 infiltrated Reclaim the Streets, Earth First! and the WOMBLES.
HN78	to come	SDS undercover	Summer 1991-1995 deployed into left wing groups, including some near the Lawrence campaign; joined Special Branch 1986, and SDS in 1991 - leaving that unit by 1996. (Herne II, 12.2; Ellison, 6.4). Aware of Peter Francis' role; said he heard nothing indicating material to smear the Lawrences was being sought (Herne II, 21.1.14; Ellison, 6.3(p), 6.4). Considerable material from him covered in section 6.4 of the Ellison Review (Vol.1). Decision to restrict real name but publish cover name reiterated on 6 June 2018, when Mitting wrote: I repeat the reasons set out in the "minded to" note 6 dated 22 March 2018. Further, HN78 has now provided a detailed personal statement in support of the application for a restriction order in respect of the cover name. It provides information about the reasons for the deployments referred to in paragraph 20 of "minded to" note 6, which must be explored in public. It is also necessary that the cover name of HN78 is published, to permit members of the target groups to provide evidence about the deployments and their own activities. The reasons for the ruling are those set out in the closed note referred to in paragraph 21 of "minded to" note 6 and in the closed note which accompanies this ruling. 20 Feb 2018: directed that applications for restriction orders to be submitted by end of that month.
HN79	Ross 'RossCo' MacInnes	SDS undercover	2007 tasked against the United British Alliance. 22 Mar 2018: minded to: restrict real name, and noted: HN79 was the last undercover officer to be recruited into the Special Duties Squad. He was not fully deployed: the Squad was disbanded before he could be. He found the experience a stressful and unhappy one. He is a serving police officer and is concerned about the impact of the disclosure, in connection with his would-be role as an undercover officer in the Squad, of his real name on his current police duties and on his family. 20 Feb 2018: directed that applications for restriction orders to be submitted by end of that month. Cover name released April 2018. Ruling of May 2018: real name restricted; application over cover name rejected. 26 Feb 2018: MPS submit application to restrict real name only.
HN80	Colin Clark	SDS undercover	1977-1982 deployed into Socialist Workers Party & Anti-Nazi League 20 Feb 2018, directions issued that applications for restriction orders to be submitted by end of Feb 2018. Cover name and groups released 26 June 2018. Application made to restrict cover and real name (26 Feb 2018), published 9 July 2018 which Mitting is minded to grant for the real name restriction.
HN81 / N81	Dave Hagan	SDS undercover	1996-2001 targeted Socialist Workers Party, Class War, Movement Against the Monarchy and Movement for Justice. Referred to extensively in the Ellison Review in relation to the targeting of the family of Stephen Lawrence.
HN82	to come	SDS undercover	Deployed against two groups in 1980s, one of which said to be violent. Deceased. Risk assessor finds no risk to safety of his widow, but she has expressed concern all the same, and 'feels' the risk is real. Mitting in his Minded-To of March 2018 indicates the real name shall be restricted while opportunity given to widow of HN82 to make a personal representation at a closed hearing about publication of cover name. Mitting not prepared to act on something vague, but given chance HN82's real name could be discovered via his cover name, the Chair is giving her a chance to make a representation at a closed hearing in respect of the cover name. A closed note also accompanies the open reasons provided in the Minded To. Subsquent to this, the Inquiry website at unknown date listed the cover name as 'to be published'.
HN83	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed against one group in 1980s; name restricted due to risk to officer's personal safety.
N85 / HN85	Roger Pearce a.k.a. Roger Thorley	SDS undercover & manager	1979-1984 infiltrated Freedom Press and anarchist groups. Later Head of Special Branch and Director of Intelligence for Metropolitan Police Service. Mentioned in the first Operation Herne report and the Ellison Review.
HN86 / N86	unknown	SDS undercover & manager	SDS undercover in late 1970s / early 1980s 'against groups whose principle activities during that time are outside the terms of reference of the Inquiry'. Later Det. Ch. Insp. in operational charge of the SDS for a period in 1990s, and temporary head of S Squad. Mentioned by Herne and Ellison, inlcuding in relation to spying on the Lawrence family. Mitting minded to restrict real and cover names.
HN87	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed in 1980s/1990s. Minded to restrict real and cover names for reasons which cannot be made public.
HN88	Timothy Spence	SDS undercover	1983-1987 infiltrated the Stoke Newington and Hackney Defence Campaign and the Hackney Campaign Against the Police Bill.
HN89 / N89	to come	SDS undercover	Infiltrated far right in 1990s and 'involved in public order situations where left and right attended'; contemporary of Peter Francis who would confide in N89. Deceased; real and cover name to be published as no application made to restrict details (Nov 2017 minded-to).
HN90	Mark Kerry	SDS undercover	1988-1992 infiltrated Socialist Workers Party and City of London Anti-Apartheid Group. 20 Feb 2018, directions issued that applications for restriction orders to be submitted by end of Feb 2018. Application made to restrict real name (26 Feb 2018), published 9 July 2018 which Mitting is minded to grant.
HN91	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed against two groups in last period of SDS. Neither group poses a threat, but the officer is currently serving in a 'valuable and sensitve role' so real or cover name cannot be released.
HN95	to come	SDS undercover	1985-1988 deployed into Socialist Workers Party. Apr 2018: Mitting said he was minded-to refuse application to restrict real name, saying: His deployment was problematical and was terminated by his managers abruptly in 1988. He was medically retired soon after. Little or nothing is known about his current circumstances or concerns, save that it is believed he is aware of the attempts which have been made to contact him in connection with the Inquiry. If he is, he has not responded to them. The [MPS] has made an application for a restriction order in respect of his real name. The grounds of the application are generic. They do not identify the respects, if any, in which his right to respect for his private and family life would be infringed by publication of his real name, beyond referring to a paragraph in the risk assessment created on 27 February 2018 which is, itself, generic.... I am not willing to make a restriction order on Article 8 grounds without some good reason for believing that the right to respect for private and family life would be infringed if real or cover name were published. In the case of HN95, I have no such reason. Further, the real name of HN95 and the circumstances in which he came to join and leave the [SDS] are know to responsible journalists. The latter have been put into the public domain by them. I have no reason to believe that any attempt will be made to restrain publication of that which they know - the real name of HN95. In those circumstances, it would be futile to make a restriction order in respect of the real name. 11 Jan 2018, directed restriction orders application to be submitted by end of Jan 2018. Minded To (March 2018): application delayed. Apr 2018: Mitting orders that HN95 'should provide notification that they his to be heard in closed hearing' by 7 May 2018, with skeleton argument setting out objections to his Minded To to reject application to restrict real name to be provided by 11 May 2018.
HN96	James Michael	SDS undercover	1978-1983 infiltrated the Socialist Workers Party & Troop Out Movement.
HN97	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed in 1980s into one group and reported on many others. Minded to restrict real and cover name due to a risk to HN97 which cannot be made public.
HN101	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed into Socialist Workers Party in 1990s. Contemporary of Peter Francis, and according to Bob Lambert, had 'an involvement in Stephen Lawrence campaign issues' (Ellison, p. 214).
HN102	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed into anarchist groups in 1980. Mitting minded to restrict real and cover names on health grounds.
HN104	Carlo Neri	SDS undercover	Deployed March 2000 to Summer 2006 into Socialist Party and No Platform / Antifa. Real name known to the activists he spied upon, and who exposed him. During the public hearing of 21 November, it was recognised that Carlo's real name was going to be published, the matter effectively reduced to who did it. whcih was acknowledged in a ruling of Dec 2017. Discussions on how to publish the name, while respecting rights of the family are on-going (17 July 2018).
HN106	Barry Tomkins	SDS undercover	1979-1983 deployed into the Spartacist League of Britain.
HN109	restricted	SDS undercover & manager	Deployed undercover in 1970s; later a Det. Insp. in SDS in 1995 (1980s/1990s).
HN112	restricted	SDS undercover	2007 in training though never actually deployed. Real and cover names restricted on health grounds.
HN118	Simon Wellings (alias)	SDS undercover	Deployed 2001-2004 (2007) into Globalise Resistance, Socialist Workers Party and Dissent!
HN122	to come	SDS undercover	Deployed into two groups in late 1980s / early 1990s. 11 January 2018, directions issued for any anonymity application to be submitted by 30 & 31 January 2018 for MPS and Designated Lawyers Team respectively. March 2018: Mitting states that for reasons set out in a closed note, it is possible to examine HN122's deployment without risk of serious harm to HN122 or others, and the cover name must be published to give groups targeted a chance to provide evidence. 23 May 2018 ruling - cover name application refused; application over real name granted.
HN123	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed into left wing groups 1993-1998, one of which 'advocated and practiced the use of violence'. Retired from MPS on health grounds & later diagnosed with a mental health condition in part derived from his deployment. Said to have played a Said to have played a part in activities connected to the spying on the Lawrences. Mentioned in both Ellison Review and Herne II.
HN125	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed into a single left wing group in 1980s. Real and cover name to be restricted on health grounds.
HN126	unknown	SDS undercover	Deployed into an as yet unknown group in late 1970s/early 1980s.
HN155	Phil Cooper	SDS undercover	Deployed into Socialist Workers Party 1979/80 to 1983.
HN200	Roger Harris	SDS undercover	Deployed into Socialist Workers Party 1974-1979. Minded-To (March 2018): real name cannot be published; cover name to be published. Details released 17 July 2018). Currently in 70s. Deployment apparently unremarkable. Mitting: no reason to publish real name; and HN200 and wife are concerned about media intrustion. 20 February 2018, directions issued for any application for restriction orders to be submitted by 26 & 28 February 2018 for MPS and Designated Lawyers Team respectively.
N218	Barry Morris	SDS undercover and probably manager	Deployed 1968 into Vietnam Solidarity Campaign. Cover name and real name to be published as no restriction order application made. Cover name released May 2018. Herne II, para. 25.1.2 states: The MPS Director of Intelligence in 1999 has been interviewed by Operation Herne and stated, 'I have been asked if I recall 'any Special Branch plans to mislead the Macpherson Inquiry' into the death of Stephen Lawrence. For part of this time, I was head of Special Branch operations and have no recollection of any such plans.’ Peter Francis has alleged that N218 came out to see him in respect of withholding information from the Macpherson Inquiry. In interview, N218 stated that this meeting or request never happened. There is a strong probablility that N218 is former Special Branch commander Barry Moss.
HN241	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed into one group in 1970s. Ruling (20 Feb 2018): real and cover names to be restricted. No allegation of misconduct. Arrested but not charged on one occasion.
HN294	cover name lost	SDS undercover and manager	Deployed 1968-1969 into a group that no longer exists, and reported on others. Held a managerial position in the SDS 1969-1974. Deceased.
HN296	to come	SDS undercover	Deployed against one left wing group from 1975 to 1978; no known allegation of misconduct against him. Currently in late 60s. 15 Jan 2018: 'Minded-to' grant restriction order over real name; no application in relation to cover name which will be published in due course. He does not live in the UK but is willing to cooperate with the Inquiry.
HN297	Rick Gibson (alias)	SDS undercover	Infiltrated Troop Out Movement 1974-1976 and tasked to infiltrate Big Flame - discovered and confronted by them in 1976. Multiple sexual relationships. Deceased.
HN298	Michael Scott	SDS undercover	Deployed 1971 to 1976 into the Young Liberals, Anti-Apartheid Movement and Workers Revolutionary Party. Convicted in 1972 under his cover name.
HN300	Jim / Jimmy	SDS undercover	Infiltrated the Socialist Workers Party late 1974 to January 1977. His cover surname has not been discovered. During deployment told another undercover that he had fallen in love with a member of his target group and had divorced from second wife in 1979.
HN301	Bob Stubbs	SDS undercover	Infiltrated the International Socialists / Socialist Workers Party 1971-1976.
HN302	restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed in the 1970s. Admits to 'fleeting sexual encounter'. Real and cover names to be restricted as there is a risk to HN302's safety. Appeared as 'Brian' in True Spies.
HN303	Peter Collins	SDS undercover	1973-77 deployed into the Workers Revolutionary Party.
HN304	Graham Coates	SDS undercover	1976-1979 infiltrated International Socialists/Socialist Workers Party, Zero Collective, Anarchy Collective and the Libertarian Anarchist Group.
HN321	Wililam Paul "Bill" Lewis	SDS undercover	Deployed against the International Marxist Group and the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign, for one year Sept 1968-Sept 1969.
HN322	cover name lost; real name restricted	SDS undercover	Deployed in 1968 for two months.
HN323	lost; real name to come	SDS undercover	Deceased and no records of cover name have been found. No restriction order application made. Real name to be used in due course.
HN326	Douglas Edwards	SDS undercover	1968-1971 was deployed into anarchist groups, Independent Labour Party, Tri-Continental and Dambusters Mobilising Committee.
HN327	lost	SDS undercover	Deceased. No record of cover name and no application made in respect of the real name. Real name to be used in due course.
HN329	John Graham (alias)	SDS undercover	Deployed against Vietnam Solidarity Campaign and Revolutionary Socialist Students Federation in 1968-1969.
HN330	Don de Freitas (alias)	SDS undercover	Deployed against the Havering branch of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign for several weeks in 1968.
HN331	lost	SDS undercover	Deployed against one group (now defunct) in 1968 & 1969. Cover name is unknown. Killed in road traffic accident in the 1970s leaving a widow and son. Application made over real name. Mitting in his 'Minded To' Nov 2017, indicated he would restrict the real name, on the grounds it would cause distress to HN331's widow): HN331’s death caused his widow to suffer an acute mental illness, for which she received in-patient treatment. She did not remarry. She is now in her 70s and suffers from the early stages of dementia. According to her son, she has been deeply affected by the possibility that HN331’s identity might be revealed in the course of the Inquiry. No useful purpose would be served by publication of HN331’s real name. Given the nature of his deployment and the elapse of time since it occurred, it is inconceivable that it would prompt evidence from others about his deployment. His widow and surviving family are entitled to be left in peace. May 2018: Mitting ruled the real name would be restricted and declined to disclose at this stage the groups that were infiltrated by HN331.