HN12
This article is part of the Undercover Research Portal at Powerbase - investigating corporate and police spying on activists
HN12 is the cipher given to a former Special Demonstration Squad] undercover officer who infiltrated two left wing groups from 1982-85. He was convicted under his cover name and had 'fleeting sexual encounter with a female activist'. Currently in his 60s, and married.
For the N cipher system see N officers page.
As an SDS officer
An undercover officer with the SDS 1982 to 1985, he was deployed into two left-wing groups successively. During this time he was arrested, prosecuted and fined for a minor offence under his cover name. Had a 'fleeting sexual encounter with a female activist'. According to Mitting, his deployment was unremarkable and gave rise to no known allegation of misconduct.[1]
In the Undercover Policing Inquiry
According to a January 2018 note from the from the Inquiry Chair, John Mitting, HN12 and his wife have serious health conditions and there is a concern that an intermittent condition HN12 suffers from may be triggered or exacerbated if his real name is published. There is also concern that such publication may have an impact on his wife. Mitting states that publication of real name is not necessary, and 'publication of his cover name, which will occur, will suffice to prompt evidence from those with whom he interacted, if they have any to give'. While publication of his real name would interfere with his Article 8(2) rights to private and family life.[1] Accordingly, Mitting is 'minded to' grant a restriction order over HN12's real name. No application to restrict the cover name had been submitted, so it will be released once pre-publication checks have been made.[2][1]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sir John Mitting, 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 (accessed 25 January 2018).
- ↑ Press Notice: Decisions relating to anonymity applications: Special Demonstration Squad, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 25 January 2018 (accessed 25 January 2018).
