N officers 2

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
N Officers list
Description:	A list of N & HN cyphers used to designate individual officers in the Inquiry and by Operation Herne (Part 2)

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 the material assembled by Operation Herne. The practice was also taken up by Operation Elter, investigating the National Public Order Intelligence Unit. The system appears to have changed in 2017, when the 3 August 2017 rulings and direction of the new Inquiry Chair, John Mitting, began using the 'HN' label, though the associated numbers appear to be unchanged.

The N number system appears to be applied across the board for police officers regardless of force, position or involvement with undercover policing. A few have since been identified, but many remain anonymous and as such few details of them are know. Except where profiled elsewhere, this page collates what is known of them and links to relevant documents, including relevant procedural issues within the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Due to the number of offices and associated details, they list has been split over several pages. This is page 2, and covers N officers with cypher number of 100 or higher. For other officers, see under N Officers (main page).

• Updated 19 November 2017

N series officers part 2 (>100)

Cypher	Name	Status	Notes
HN101	unknown		SDS. Contemporary of Peter Francis, who had 'a involvement in Stephen Lawrence campaign issues' according to Lambert (Ellison, p. 214).
HN104	Carlo Neri (alias)	UCPI minded to restrict real name.	SDS UCO. Deployed against two groups March 2000 to Summer 2006. Both he and partners concerned about violence being used by (ex)members of the groups he targeted and of media intrusion, and the efforts of those with IT skills to ascertain his real name and whereabouts. "These concerns are not irrational and have some basis in fact". According to Prof Fox, (report of 8 March 2017), HN104 suffers from significant mental health conditions. Mitting opposing publishing of real name as interference under Article 8(2), and not necessary for those who claim sexual relationships with him in order to give evidence in acts committed by his cover name. "On the basis of what is known, interference in Article 8(2) rights ais not justified." Can give evidence from behind a screen. Applications from MPS & N104's lawyer to restrict publication of real name only; also received are personal statements from his family and expert medical report; final risk assessment from MPS awaited but no scope for restriction of cover name. Open versions published. In the responding submissions made by the Non-Police/State Core Participants, it was noted that Carlo's real name was known to those he had spied upon. August 2017 documents: open application for restriction order (MPS), open application for restriction order (S&G), Open supplementary application for restriction order (S&G), open medical assessment, open personal statement (1), open personal statement (2), open statement by HN104's partner, open statement by HN104's relative
HN108	unknown	real name to be published in due course. No application made.	SDS back office / manager
HN109	unknown	Extension sought to move to future tranche (Nov 2017).	SDS Detective Inspector in 1995. Interview by Operation Herne quoted in Ellison Review: "There was never any reference made to ‘smearing’ in relation to the Lawrence family. Deployments into the support campaigns surrounding Stephen Lawrence were specifically to build a picture of the public order background… Any meeting I was involved in was never about any family member. It was done to protect the family" (Ellison, p.211).
N118	Simon Wellings (alias)	Confirmed.	SDS UCO
HN120	unknown	real name to be published in due course. No application made.	SDS back office / manager
HN123	unknown	Minded-to: restrict both cover name and real name.	SDS UCO. Deployed into number of left-wing groups 1993-1998. Retired from MPS on health grounds & later diagnosed from mental health condition in part derived from his deployment - in slow but incomplete recovery. "HN123 and HN123’s partner are concerned about the possibility that HN123’s identity will be revealed during the Inquiry, both for reasons of safety and because of the potential impact on HN123’s health. I have read personal statements by both of them, which are and will remain closed, in which these concerns are expressed. I accept that they are genuine and not irrational. Overriding them would interfere with their right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention and would require to be justified under Article 8(2). Fulfilment of the terms of reference of the Inquiry does not require that the real or cover name of HN123 be published. The evidence of HN123 can be given under a cypher. HN123 was involved indirectly in deployments affecting the Lawrence family and can give evidence about that under the cypher. To the extent that it is contentious, it can be challenged just as effectively, as if given in the real or cover name. In those circumstances, the interference would not be justified. It is desirable, and may be essential, that HN123 gives evidence in public. In that event, protective measures are likely to be required." Application from MPS & HN123's lawyer to restrict both cover and real names, along with personal statements & medical material - open versions published, some material previously being released in March 2016. March 2016 application documents: open application, draft order, personal statement (gisted) & risk assessment (gisted). August 2017 documents: open application for restriction order (MPS), open application for restriction order (S&G) The Ellison review stated (p.211): N123... spoke on the telephone to Operation Herne in November 2013: "Francis was lying about the smearing of Lawrence…" N123 had taken over from Mr Francis when in the back office. Mr Francis had told him that it was their role to provide "gossip for the field…" N123 had spent nine months in the back office and amongst management and had gone to field meetings. Not once did N123 see or hear any instruction to 'smear' the Lawrences. He did not see any paperwork to reflect this either. According to Bob Lambert (Ellison, p.214), N123 started his undercover work after Lambert had become head of the SDS and stated: I am sure from day one the Stephen Lawrence case would have been on N123’s agenda, and… they must have attended, started to attend meetings with the Stephen Lawrence campaign, almost goes as read that they would have been there… they would want to be inside the meeting, to have a speaker on the platform and so N123 is following close behind ‘Pete Francis’… they became quite close friends and times would have been at the same events… May well have been events specifically in support of the Stephen Lawrence campaign… Mentioned in Herne II has being undercover with the potential to report on the Lawrence family (Herne II, 12.2). Represented by Slater & Gordon.
N127	unknown	Minded To (Nov 2017): refuse application for restriction of cover name.	Sergeant with SDS 1997-2001. Provides statement where he states he does not recognise Peter Francis's statements regarding spying on the Lawrence family; also received Lambert's memo on the N81 / Walton meeting (Ellison, p.229). N81 told Ellison: …I was informed, at the height of the Macpherson inquiry, that my reporting was going straight to Sir Paul Condon’s desk each morning via N24, and N127 (SDS Sgt) passed on to me from N24 congratulations from the Commissioner for your excellent reporting…' (Ellison 212, 229 & 232). Note from Mitting (Nov 2017): Between 1997 and 2001 HN127 was a cover officer for deployed undercover officers, some of whose activities are likely to be the subject of detailed investigation by the Inquiry. With one significant proviso, addressed below, public investigation of HN127’s performance of his duties in his real name can be undertaken without posing a risk to HN127’s safety or interfering with the right to respect for private and family life of HN127. It is unavoidable, for reasons explained in the closed note which accompanies these reasons, that part of HN127’s evidence will be given in closed session.
N129	unknown	Extension sought to be deal with in a future tranche.	SDS Detective Sergeant. received Lambert's memo on the N81 / Walton meeting; commented on character and skill of Peter Francis, but also that they did not recognise the allegations regarding seeking information to smear the Lawrence family. His statement to Op. Herne is quoted in Ellison (p.212): "[Mr Francis] was targeted towards the campaign in the same way as today… to perform a dual role of protecting the family from malicious extremist influences and providing information about potential public order issues. The anti-police sentiment on the streets was palpable, and Territorial Policing was very interested in any potential or planned disorder…" N129 believes that he was directly tasked to get involved with the campaign, although not necessarily with the family. His role was not about ‘smearing’ at all.
HN146	unknown	Real name to be published in due course. No application made.	SDS back office / manager
N183	Richard Walton		Special Branch background. Later head of Counter Terrorism Command.
N190	unknown		SDS Detective Inspector; commented on retention / destruction of documents within the SDS during a 2004 document rationalisation process (Ellison, 201).
HN204	unknown	Real name to be published in due course. No application made.	SDS back office / manager
N216	unknown		Expressed outrage at Peter Francis allegations (Herne II, 21.1.14) and stated in respect of the targeting of Duwayne Brooks (Herne 24.1.13): 'SDS activity targeting individuals in a public order context may have brought certain officers into contact with, or in the close proximity of Duwayne Brooks, but, if that did happen, this would not have been in response to the murder investigation, or any connection with the family'.
N218	unknown		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 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. It is not clear if N218 is the MPS Director of Intelligence referred to or if it refers to someone else entirely. If N218 is the Director of Intelligence then it is probably Alan Fry as opposed to his successor Roger Pearce (who appears as N85).
N275	unknown		Det. Ch. Insp.; probably SDS but not definitive. Critical of record retention and note-taking in the SDS (Ellison, pages 198 & 201).
HN294	unknown	Cover name not ascertained by UCPI. Minded-To: real name cannot be published.	SDS UCO & managerial. Now deceased. Deployed in 1968-1969 against one group which no longer exists, and reported on others, which also no longer exist. Managerial position in SDS 1969-1974. Has elderly widow & other family members. "There is no risk to their safety and minimal risk of intrusive interest in them even if his real name were to be published. They wish to avoid that risk. Although the risk is minimal, nothing would be gained by running it. Unless HN294’s cover name were to become known, publication of his real name could not prompt evidence from one or more members of the affected groups. Evidence about his managerial role, if it is available, can be given by others who knew him, by reference to his cypher. In those circumstances interference with the right of his widow and family to respect for their private life under Article 8 of the European Convention would not be justifiable under Article 8(2)." Application from MPS for restricting real name, along with evidence from family and a risk assessment - open versions published. August 2017 documents: Open application for restriction order, open risk assessment (Brian Lockie), open personal statement (1), open personal statement (2)
HN297	Rick Gibson (alias)	Cover name released Minded-To: real name cannot be published.	SDS UCO. Deceased. Deployed 1974-1976. "As in the case of the living officers cited above it is unlikely that the publication of his real name would prompt the giving or production of evidence necessary to permit the Inquiry to fulfil its terms of reference. It would be likely to interfere with the right of his widow." The MPS have submitted an application to restrict his real name, along with a risk assessment (Graham Walker) and additional threat assessments - open versions published along with cover name.
HN315	unknown		Witness Protection Unit officer assigned by John Grieve to Lawrence family following wrongful publication of witness details in a Macpherson Report appendix; said they were 'never approached by any member of the MPS or asked for personal information or rumour surrounding the Stephen Lawrence family' (Herne II, 21.2.4-5).
HN321	Bill Lewis	Minded-To: real name cannot be published.	Now in 70s. Deployed against two groups which no longer exist, for one year Sept 1968-Sept 1969; no known allegation of misconduct against him. A press release of 5 October 2017 stated: "HN321 was deployed as a member of the Special Operations Squad in 1968 – 1969. He had the cover name “William Paul Lewis”, although he has said that he was known simply as “Bill”. He may have been encountered by individuals involved with the International Marxist Group or the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign in London at that time." Mitting's 'Minded-To' of August 2017 noted: "He undertook the role of an undercover officer on the understanding that his identity would be kept secret. He is concerned about possible media interest if his real identity were to be revealed. He is, in particular, concerned about the impact on his wife, also in her 70s. His concerns are not irrational. In the unlikely event that disclosure of his cover name, which can be made, prompts evidence from one or more members of the target groups it will not be enhanced by disclosure of his real name. It is likely that disclosure of his real name would prompt intense and unwelcome media interest in him and so would give rise to serious interference with his and his family’s right to respect for their private life under Article 8 of the European Convention which would not be justifiable under Article 8(2). Closed reasons accompany this note." Application made by the MPS to restrict real and cover names, including an supplementary submission, along with a personal statement and a risk assessment (David Reid) - open versions published in August 2017. Following the publishing of Mitting's Minded-To note of 3 August 2017, the Metropolitan Police withdrew their application to restrict HN321's cover name, leading it to being published on 5 October 2017, though the application to restrict his real name remained in place. In their personal witness statement, HN321 says: The Special Branch was a covert entity and while the public knew it existed, its activities were secret. My understanding when I joined the Special Branch was that I was not to discuss its activities outside of the service and my expectation of the Branch was that my identify would also be kept secret. I recall that at the Induction presentation in to the Branch that we were warned that we would have access to secret information that we were not to reveal to anyone outside of the Police or to even acknowledge that we were members of the Special Branch. This seemed entirely reasonable to me and for nearly fifty years I have kept faith with that understanding. According to his risk assessment: 3.3 N321 received no training and no pyschometric testing. N321 was told that N321 needed to gather intelligence, but the senior officers left it to the squad members to work out their own approach. There was no particular methodology advocated by officers and N321 simply used whatever techniques looked the most promising. To a certain extend the approach had to be tailored to the group that were to be penetrated. They did not use the identity of a dead child. N321 is not a core participant.
HN323	unknown	Deceased. No records of cover name found; real name to be used in due course. No application made.	SDS UCO
HN325	unknown	Real name to be published in due course.. No application made.	SDS back office / manager
HN326	Douglas Edwards (alias)	Cover name name released. No application made.	SDS UCO. Currently in 70s and retired; deployed against 3 groups, two of which no longer exist, for 2 1/2 years between 1968-1971. "He has been careful to preserve his anonymity and is worried about disclosure of his real name. He is concerned that it may be discovered by organisations such as undercoverresearch.net and fears media intrusion. He suffers from conditions which may be exacerbated by worry. His cover name will be published." Application from MPS to restrict real name only, personal statement, risk assessment (Kevin Shanahan) and additional threat assessments - open versions published bar on additional threat assessments. In his personal statement, he wrote: Discretion and secrecy was the order of the day - stum und krum. Say nothing about anything. this was communicated to me right from the very start. Even other members of my unit were not aware of my undercover name and which groups I infiltrated. It was very much "keep quiet about the whole thing". To be honest, I can't recall a conversation about secrecy at the end of my deployment. It was just the nature of the job that you didn't talk about it. ... At the time of my deployment, I was living with my parents. I told them I was on the Drugs squad... According to his risk assessment: He was recruited by Special Branch management into the Special Operations Squad, whose function was to monitor protest groups who were a major concern of the Government. He had no formal induction or form of training (3.3). "3.4 At the time of his recruitment was informed by his senior management (Detective Chief Inspector & Detective Inspector) that the Unit he was seconded to was highly secret and was to be deployed as a result of ongoing large scale public disorder being a major concern of the Government at that time (late 1968)." NOt offered or provided with support during his deployment; it was ad hoc and unco-ordinated (4.19). After deployment he resumed duties in Special Branch (4.16) See under profile for more detailed analysis of his time undercover. He did not use the identity of a dead child.
HN327	unknown	Deceased. No records of cover name and real names to be used in due course. No application made.	SDS UCO
HN328	unknown	Real name to be published in due course.. No application made.	SDS back office / manager
HN329	John Graham (alias)	Cover name released. Minded-To: real name cannot be published.	SDS UCO. Now in 70s. Deployed against two groups that no longer exist for one year in 1968-1969. As with HN321, only less concerned about media intrusion. MPS have applied to restrict real name only, and issued a open personal / impact statement from him alongside a open risk assessment (David Reid). For details and analysis of his time undercover see his profile. He has subsequently made appearances on television under his real identity.
HN330	unknown	Cover name not ascertained by UCPI. Minded to: real name cannot be published.	SDS UCO. Now in 80s; deployed against one group, no longer active, for several weeks in 1968. "He would like to be left in peace". Does not remember the cover names he used, similar considerations apply as HN321. He targeted the Havering, Essex branch of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign, attending some of their meetings, both public and private. He created a false name and occupation. He ceased his undercover deployment with the Special Operations Squad on 27th October 1968, following the large VSC march which the unit was focused on. In an email to the risk assessors he stated: I am puzzled by your reference to my “cover name”. I did have rather a large number of them… I would, however, emphasise that between those dates I did not join any political party, group or organisation. I was present at hundreds of political meeting, joined many public demonstrations and protests through out the [Metropolitan Police District] and knocked on hundreds of doors. In all cases and for obvious reasons my true identity remained unknown and when avoidable I gave a false name and occupation...” In October 2017, it was noted: When the ‘Minded to’ dated 3 August 2017 was published, the Inquiry did not know HN330’s cover name and HN330 could not remember it. The Inquiry has since received information from another officer which permits HN330’s cover name to be published. Legal representatives for this officer and the Metropolitan Police Service have been notified and, provided that no application for a restriction order in respect of it is received, it will be [released]. The MPS have applied to restrict his real name only along with open submissions, a personal statement and risk assessment (David Reid) - open versions published. In his personal statement, he has described the risk assessment process as a 'pantomine' and based on 'hearsay obtained from a former colleague'. He is not a core participant, and has expressed to risk assessors (whom he has declined to meet) "he has the ‘most monumental indifference’ to whether the Inquiry wishes him to give evidence."
HN333	unknown	Cover name known. Minded-To: real and cover names can not be published.	SDS UCO. Now in 70s and retired. Deployed for 9 months in 1968-1969 against a left wing group (no longer exists). No known allegation of misconduct against him and he neither committed any crimes or took the identity of a dead child as part of his cover. Described his training as 'rudimentary'. Hei infiltrated his target group by answering an advert for people who were following the philosophy of [redacted]. Subsequently attended meetings of this small group. He characterised the group as extremist. "N333 received no specific assurance or guarantee of anonymity by senior officer(s). N333 states that there was only 'implied implication' of future anonymity'. He subsequently went on to have a 'long and distinguished career' in the police. Mitting stated in his Minded-To: "If his cover name were to be disclosed, it is very unlikely that it would prompt evidence from one or more members of the target group which would assist the Inquiry to fulfil its terms of reference. It would also be unlikely to prompt a threat to his personal safety or to that of his family. There is, however, a small – in my judgement, very small – risk that if his cover name were to be associated with the valuable duties which he performed subsequent to his deployment, he would be of interest to those who might pose such a threat. The nature of that risk is set out more fully in the closed reasons which accompany this note." The MPS has applied to restrict real name only, while N333's designated laywer has applied to restrict the cover name. Other August 2017 application documents: open submissions, personal statement and risk assessment (Graham Walker). HN333 is not a core participant in the Inquiry.
HN335	unknown	Deceased. No records of cover name; real names to be used in due course.. No application made.	SDS UCO
HN343	unknown	UCPI needs more details before making decision on restricting details. Minded-To: "The real name cannot be published. Awaiting final position in relation to the cover name, as the Metropolitan Police Service having originally made no application in respect of it."	SDS UCO. In 70s. Deployed into various groups in early 1970s; past kept secret from everyone his family & social circles. "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. Pending receipt of further information, no decision can yet be made about publication of the cover name." Application from MPS to recover real name only, along with impact statement and additional evidence. "A final risk assessment is awaited from the Metropolitan Police Service which might trigger a wider application to restrict the cover name as well as the real name." Open versions of documents not yet published pending final application.
HN345	unknown	UCPI granted extension until 1 September 2017 to submit anonymity application. Previously thought to be deceased but since discovered to be alive.	SDS
N367	unknown		SO15 / CTC from 2006, Det. Sgt; point of contact for ex-SDS officers. Was contacted by N81 in this capacity but was accused of having 'an agenda to belittle SDS' (Ellison, 253).
N406	Barry McDowell		Special Branch officer who moved to Racial and Violent Crime Task Force (CO24 / under John Grieve) and was appointed as a liaison between the two units 1998/1999 (Herne II, 21.1.6; Ellison, multiple pages).
N519	Marco Jacobs (alias)	Cover name Confirmed.	NPOIU UCO
N587	unknown		Author of the SDS Annual Report in 1985 (Herne II, 18.1).
N596	Rod Richardson (alias)	Cover name Confirmed.	NPOIU UCO
HN1251	unknown	Real name to be published in due course. No application made.	SDS back office / manager