Roderick Leeming
Roderick Leeming, former special branch officer, set up Global Open in 2001. The company keeps a "discreet watch" on protest groups for clients including E.ON.[1]
Contents
Global Open
Global Open's tagline is "Be Aware. Be up to date. Keep the threat in perspective."[2] According to its website:
- Global Open can carry out a full security audit of an organisation's plants and offices from an activist's perspective.[3]
An article by The Guardian, dealing with the undercover police officer Mark Kennedy reveals information about the private security sector.
- Leeming is a former Special Branch officer. Until Leeming left the police in 2001, he admits he regularly infiltrated undercover operatives into protest groups in his role as head of the Animal Rights National index. But he insists Global Open does not infiltrate activist groups. He told The Guardian the company only advises firms on security. However, Global Open appears to have access to well-sourced intelligence.[1]
Directors
Companies House records show Global Open was incorporated on 1 February 2001. Its directors are listed as Roderick Leeming, Alison Leeming and Victor Ash. Heather Millgate is listed as a former director.
Controversies
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
It first came to public attention in 2007 when it was implicated in the case of Paul Mercer, a friend of the then Conservative shadow defence minister, Julian Lewis, who was exposed by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade of spying for the arms firm BAE.[1] [4]
Private Security Company inked to Undercover Police Officer
It appears that Mark Kennedy, an undercover police officer, set up his own private security company, Tokra with links to Global Open.
- Leeming told The Guardian the company had never employed Mark Kennedy. He did, however, confirm that Tokra was set up for a "reason" but he could not say what it was – only that it was a confidential matter between Kennedy and Millgate. Today, Millgate declined to comment when asked why Tokra had been set up.[1]
Leeming added that Millgate left Global Open last year on good terms because she wanted to set up her own business. A flurry of official paperwork followed.[1]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rob Evans, Amelia Hill, Paul Lewis and Patrick Kingsley Mark Kennedy: secret policeman's sideline as corporate spy The Guardian, 13/01/11, accessed 17/ 01/11
- ↑ Global Open Website Home accessed 17/01/11
- ↑ Global Open Website Security Audit accessed 17/01/11
- ↑ Legal briefing, File:CAATvMercer-briefing.pdf CAMPAIGN AGAINST ARMS TRADE v PAUL MERCER & LIGNEDEUX ASSOCIATES, Leigh Day & Co. 18 April 2007.
