HN21

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 undercover police officers
'HN21'
Alias:	unknown
Deployment:	late 1970s / early 1980s
Unit:	Special Demonstration Squad
Targets:	unknown

HN21 is the cipher given to a former Special Demonstration Squad undercover officer deployed in the late 70s / early 80s against one group and who reported on others. Is in his 60s. Originally his cover name was due to be revealed by the Undercover Policing Inquiry. However, the Inquiry Chair, John Mitting, changed his mind in May 2018 to indicated he was minded to grant full anonymity to HN21 on mental health grounds.

• For an explanation of the HN cipher system, see the N Officers page.

As a SDS officer

Joined Metropolitan Police in 1960s, Special Branch in 1970s and was part of SDS in the 1970s and 1980s.

No express promise of confidentiality, but 'clearly implicit in everything we did', and said:

I worked in a need to know vetted environment and I strongly believed that my real and cover identity would be protected. I would not have undertaken the role if I believed that my identity would be revealed, and I regret doing the role because the cost has been too high particularly in relation to the impact on my health. The

whole set up was geared towards the identity being protected, and I spent time creating my identity. it being tested, and the focus was squarely on protecting that identity.

Attended the Anti Nazi League / Rock Against Racism event held 1978 at Victoria Park, where he was close to Peter Hain and helped look after money while arrangements were being made to have it collected - though says Peter Hain would not have known him as he was not part of any inner circle close to Hain, and would have just appeared as one of many volunteers.

Health suffered towards end of deployment, but did not feel supported by SDS management at that time.

In 1990s, HN21 was part of mentoring programme for SDS for a period of 18 months to 2 years.

It was a structured programme and allowed officers to have someone they could approach if they had concerns that was out of the management chain.

They appeared on True Spies as 'Geoff', saying:

I only agreed to undertake the documentary out of loyalty to Roger Pearce. When I received the letter from him, I did not want to do it, but discussed with my [redacted] and I considered that it was a way of recording what had been done.

They regret having taken part.

Other material

HN21 was subject to two medical examinations by Dr. Busuttil, which concluded that in March 2017 HN21 had depression that was being exacerbated by the Inquiry, and would be worsened if the real / cover name was released. The follow up examination of April 2018 stated that HN21's mental health had deteriorated, and revolved around the issue of whether or not the cover and real name would be released.

In their personal statement, they wrote:

The thought of my real and cover identity being revealed frightens me to death. I am concerned about my family's safety and am frightened about what might happen to them and feel helpless and unable to do anything about it. Given my [close family member's] health these concerns are much greater. I know that some of them are not rational but cannot help myself thinking and worrying about it to a degree where I become angry and am ruminating on bad things. I feel a real breach of trust by the State in even considering revealing my real and cover name and would not have done the job if I knew this would be the position.

In the Undercover Policing Inquiry

• January 2018: directed that restriction order applications to be submitted by end of that month.

• March 2018: Mitting minded to restrict real name, application over cover name is refused. According to Mitting, the risk to HN21 from groups they targeted is negligible. However, the former undercover suffers from depression, and the medical professional who examined him on behalf of the Inquiry, Dr. Busuttil, opined that HN21 is at high risk of recurrence if the real and cover names were published. Mitting however noted that deployment of HN21 is of 'some interest to the Inquiry' and needs a more thorough investigation than possible if explored simply under a cipher, stating:

I am not, at present, convinced that measures cannot be take to avoid harmful impact on the health of HN21. I will afford an opportunity to HN21 to consider such measures in a closed session and/or submit that they would be ineffective. A closed note accompanies these reasons.

• May 2018: Mitting changes his mind to and stated intention to restrict both real and cover names, writing:

Since the publication of 'minded to' note 5 on 7 March 2018, HN21 has been examined again by Dr Busuttil, who as produced a further report dated 24 April 2018. In his opinion, which I accept, HN21's health has deteriorated since he was last seen by him in March 2017. He is suffering a mild to moderately severe depressive episode and another long term condition. He is receiving treatment, in the form of mild antidepressant medication which does improve his condition. In the opinion of Dr Busuttil, which again I accept, prolonged uncertainty about the outcome of his application for restriction orders has contributed to and maintained his depression. If his cover name were to be disclosed, Dr Busuttil's opinion is that his psychiatric symptoms are likely to worsen and render the treatment recommended, including an increased dose of antidepressant medication, less likely to succeed. Conversely, if his real and cover names are not disclosed, Dr Busuttil would expect his depression to respond to intervention.

The evidence of HN21 about his deployment and service in the SOS and police service after it ended, are of significant interest to the Inquiry. Mr Sanders QC, for HN21, accepts that it will have to be given publicly even if it is given in writing. He also submits that if it is given in a cypher, so as to alleviate his concerns about disclosure of his identity, it is likely to be of better quality. This submission is founded on the opinion of Dr Busuttil. I accept that it has some force. There is, however, a significant and unavoidable risk that if worthwhile public evidence is to be given by HN21, it will lead to his identification in his cover name by those who knew him when deployed. This is a risk, which will almost certainly have to be run, to permit the Inquiry to get the truth. According to the risk assessor, there is a strong sterile corridor between the real and cover name. Objectively, therefore, the risk of interference in private and family life which might be caused by the intrusive attentions of others is small. The only reason for not publishing the cover name is that stated above. I am minded to make a restriction order in respect of it, but only on the basis that detailed public evidence is provided by HN21 under his cypher, notwithstanding the risk that this may lead to the identification of his cover name.

There are no further closed reasons.

• 9 July 2018: provisional decision: restrict real and cover names with application documents released.

• Open application for restriction order (anonymity) re: HN21, 25 January 2018 - Metropolitan Police Service, real name only.
• Application for a restriction order (anonymity) in respect of HN21's real name and cover name, Metropolitan Police Service's 'Designated Legal Team', 31 January 2018.
• N21 - Risk Assessment, Graham Walker, 12 June 2018.
• HN21: Gist of Medical Reports, Undercover Policing Inquiry relating to two medical examinations by Dr Busuttill (reports dated 27 March 2017 and 24 April 2018).
• Impact Statement of HN21, 31 January 2018.