Difference between revisions of "HG Lawrenson"

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{{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name=HG 'Bert' Lawrenson|Alias=n/a|Series=undercover police management|Image=Lawrenson signature.png |Unit=C Squad|DatesDeployed=before 1963 - circa 1970|Targets=n/a}}
 
{{Undercover_Police_Officer_sidebar|Name=HG 'Bert' Lawrenson|Alias=n/a|Series=undercover police management|Image=Lawrenson signature.png |Unit=C Squad|DatesDeployed=before 1963 - circa 1970|Targets=n/a}}
  
'''HG "Bert" Lawrenson''' is a former senior officer in the [[Metropolitan Police Special Branch]].  
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'''HG "Bert" Lawrenson''' is a former senior officer in the [[Metropolitan Police Special Branch]], who transferred to the Economic League' London Regional Office as soon as he retired.
  
 
==1963==
 
==1963==
  
His first known appearance is as a Special Branch Detective Inspector in 1963. Activist group 'Spies for Peace' had released top secret details of the governments plans for 'Regional Seats of Government', which was picked up by the wider peace movement. As part of an effort to prevent further publicising of the details, the state issued various warnings. These included a visit from Special Branch, in the form of Detective Inspectors Wood and Lawrenson, to ''Peace News'' due that newspaper's plans to publish the details. Despite this, ''Peace News'' put the story on it's front page.'<ref>[https://libcom.org/files/ResistanceShallGrow.pdf Resistance Shall Grow: the story of the 'Spies for Peace' and why they are important for your future], jointly published by a number of groups, 1963, p.11 (accessed via Libcom.org).</ref>
+
The first known appearance of Lawrenson as a Special Branch Detective Inspector is in 1963. Activist group 'Spies for Peace' had released top secret details of the governments plans for 'Regional Seats of Government', which was picked up by the wider peace movement. As part of an effort to prevent further publicising of the details, the state issued various warnings. These included a visit from Special Branch, in the form of Detective Inspectors Wood and Lawrenson, to ''Peace News'' due to that newspaper's plans to publish the details. Despite this, ''Peace News'' put the story on it's front page.'<ref>[https://libcom.org/files/ResistanceShallGrow.pdf Resistance Shall Grow: the story of the 'Spies for Peace' and why they are important for your future], jointly published by a number of groups, 1963, p.11 (accessed via Libcom.org).</ref>
  
 
==With C Squad==
 
==With C Squad==
  
According to some sources, Lawrenson was a Superintendent in charge of C Squad in 1960s and early 1970s - having succeeded Harold Suttling in that role.<ref>John Streeter, [https://818association.typepad.com/files/autumn-14-newsletter.pdf Edward Brown who died in November 2013], ''8/18 Association Newsletter'', Edition 51, Autumn 2014.</ref><ref>Rob Bryan, [https://818association.typepad.com/files/autumn-14-newsletter.pdf David Oliver who died on Wednesday 25th June 2014], ''8/18 Association Newsletter'', Edition 51, Autumn 2014.</ref> Dates are as yet uncertain, but he certainly held the rank of Superintendent by late 1967 and subsequent years.<ref name="pcalmanacs">Police and Constabulary Almanacs, miscellaneous years, R Hazell & co.</ref>  
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According to a former colleague, Lawrenson was a Superintendent in charge of C Squad in 1960s and early 1970s - having succeeded Harold Suttling in that role.<ref name = 8/18>John Streeter, [https://818association.typepad.com/files/autumn-14-newsletter.pdf Ian Adams who died on Wednesday 14th May 2014.], ''8/18 Association Newsletter'', Edition 51, Autumn 2014. John Streeter wrote: ”I enjoyed the somewhat dubious
 +
pleasure of working with Ian Adams way back in the late 60s and early 70s when we both served together on ‘C’ Squad then under the command of Supt ‘Bert’ Lawrenson ably assisted by CIs ‘Ron’ Floor, Norman Murray and ‘Bill’ Tucker.</ref> Dates are as yet uncertain, but he certainly held the rank of Superintendent by late 1967 and subsequent years.</ref><ref name="pcalmanacs">Police and Constabulary Almanacs, miscellaneous years, R Hazell & co.</ref>  
  
As a superintendent in C Squad his role would have overseen Special Branch's intelligence gathering on political groups - its remit variously including Communists and Subversives/ Public Order / Domestic Extremism.<ref>Special Branch Introduction and summary of responsibilities, ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', August 2004.</ref><ref>Oliver Sanders QC, Robert McAllister & Claire Palmer, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201028-Opening_Statement-DL_Clients.pdf Amended written opening statement on behalf of the Designated Lawyer officer core participant group for hearing: 3-4 November 2020], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', 28 October 2020 (accessed via ucpi.org.uk).</ref><ref>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6880178-History-of-Uk-Special-Branch.html Special Branch Introduction and summary of responsibilities], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', August 2004 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref> As such he was deputy to its then head Chief Superintendent [[Arthur Cunningham]], something which is born out by his presence in Special Branch reports on the Vietnam War protests of 1968 and 1969.
+
In this role, he would have overseen Special Branch's intelligence gathering on political groups - its remit variously including Communists and Subversives/ Public Order / Domestic Extremism. Lawrenson's former colleague, John Streeter in an obituary in 2014 puts it this way: "In those distant days one of the functions of ‘C’ Squad was to ‘monitor’ the subversive activities of extreme left wing organisations such as the CP, WRP, and many others doubtless still remembered with ‘affection’ by many of a certain vintage."<ref name = 8/18/><ref>Special Branch Introduction and summary of responsibilities, ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', August 2004.</ref><ref>Oliver Sanders QC, Robert McAllister & Claire Palmer, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201028-Opening_Statement-DL_Clients.pdf Amended written opening statement on behalf of the Designated Lawyer officer core participant group for hearing: 3-4 November 2020], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', 28 October 2020 (accessed via ucpi.org.uk).</ref><ref>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6880178-History-of-Uk-Special-Branch.html Special Branch Introduction and summary of responsibilities], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', August 2004 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref> Lawrenson was deputy to the then head of Special Branch, Chief Superintendent [[Arthur Cunningham]].
  
The reports also indicate he was in receipt of material obtained by the undercovers of the [[Special Demonstration Squad]], and almost certainly aware of its existence, given its founder DCI Conrad Dixon - who had worked on left wing groups for Special Branch prior to founding the SDS in July 1968.
+
=== Special Demonstration Squad ===
 
 
As a note of caution on interpreting the material, at the time B Squad and C squad appear to have covered some of the same ground and its notable that some of the reports in the Inquiry for 1968 and 1969 note they are for the attention of Superintendent B Squad. As far as is understood at the moment, its only in late 1969 that B Squad starts to focus on Irish matters. However, other statements support the contention that C Squad was focused on Communists and related matters at the time.
 
 
 
==Vietnam War protests==
 
  
 +
1968 saw a mass movement against the Vietnam War, including large scale demonstrations in London. Special Branch played a key role in the police response to this,<ref>Dónal O’Driscoll, [http://specialbranchfiles.uk/1968-protest-and-special-branch-0/ 1968 – Protest and Special Branch], ''Undercover Research Group'', 14 April 2018 (accessed 2 April 2020, via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref> including setting up undercover unit, the [[Special Demonstration Squad]] in September that year, targeting the large scale 27 October mobilisation.<ref name="undercover.book">Paul Lewis & Rob Evans, [https://guardianbookshop.com/undercover-9781783350346.html Undercover: The true story of Britain's secret poilce], ''Guardian Faber'', 2013.</ref>
 
[[File:UCPI0000030046.jpg|thumb|200px|The 29 August 1968 ''Note to File'' from F.4 Division, Home Office]]
 
[[File:UCPI0000030046.jpg|thumb|200px|The 29 August 1968 ''Note to File'' from F.4 Division, Home Office]]
 +
As was revealed in files released by the Inquiry in November 2020, the SDS had a close working relationship with the secret service from the very beginning.
 +
Lawrenson was personally involved in cementing this relationship. A first meeting between Special Branch and MI5 was held on 1 August, the day after the creation of the Squad, the intention to cooperate was recorded. Present were Director F, F.1 and F.4 of MI5 and Commander [Ferguson Smith], head of Special Branch), Chief Superintendent [Arthur Cunningham] and Chief Inspector Dixon. On 2nd August, Dixon and Inspector Saunders visited the Security Service to tie up liaison arranchments, the SDS was to have a liaison at MI5, to see what would happen with the intelligence sent there.<ref> UCPI0000030045, 2 August 1968.</ref> Next, it was Superintendent Lawrenson who invited MI5 to Special Branch to iron out the final details of the cooperation.<ref>F.4, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UCPI0000030046.pdf Note for file regarding a meeting where mention is made of a new 'special squad' set up in Special Branch], Security Service, 29 August 1968, accessed via UCPI.org.uk UCPI0000030046)</ref> F.4 reports on the meeting with "Senior Superintendent Cunningham and Chief Inspector Dickson [sic], writing 'We reviewed our joint coverage of London University and various polytechnics'. It goes on to say:
 +
:: Briefly, Special Branch have set up a special squad under Dickson, bearded and unwashed males and scruffy female, who are participating in demonstrations where they make contact with students and then hope to turn them and use them as short term informers. They are meeting with some success.
  
1968 saw a mass movement against the Vietnam War, including large scale demonstrations in London. Special Branch played a key role in the police response to this,<ref>Dónal O’Driscoll, [http://specialbranchfiles.uk/1968-protest-and-special-branch-0/ 1968 – Protest and Special Branch], ''Undercover Research Group'', 14 April 2018 (accessed 2 April 2020, via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref> including setting up undercover unit, the [[Special Demonstration Squad]] in September that year, targeting the large scale 27 October mobilisation.<ref name="undercover.book">Paul Lewis & Rob Evans, [https://guardianbookshop.com/undercover-9781783350346.html Undercover: The true story of Britain's secret poilce], ''Guardian Faber'', 2013.</ref>
+
Lawrenson and the founder of the SDS  DCI Conrad Dixon share a history of working at 'C' Squad. As such Lawrenson had reported on groups active in the Anti-Vietnam war movement, even before the SDS was set up.
  
In March 1968 Lawrenson authors a report on a recent demonstration against the Vietnam War by Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.<ref> HG Lawrenson, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2487410-1968-sb-report-on-youth-cnd.html Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 24 March 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>
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In March 1968, after the first large demonstration against the war in Vietnam in London on the 17th, Lawrenson authored a report on a smaller protest a week later by Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.<ref> HG Lawrenson, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2487410-1968-sb-report-on-youth-cnd.html Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 24 March 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>
  
While throughout 1968 and 1969 Lawrenson's name appears on a number of reports submitted by DI [[Conrad Dixon]] into the activities of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign; in these he is often given as Acting Detective Chief Superintendent in place (or on behalf of) of the regular co-signer, DCS [[Arthur Cunningham]].<ref>Conrad Dixon, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494422-3rd-oct-1968-weekly-report-on-preparations-for.html Report into the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's "Autumn Offensive"], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 3 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref><ref>Conrad Dixon, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494419-22nd-oct-1968-assessment-on-upcoming-demo-of.html Report into the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's "Autumn Offensive"], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 22 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>
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Throughout 1968 and 1969 Lawrenson's name appears on a number of reports submitted by DI [[Conrad Dixon]] into the activities of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign; signing them as Acting Detective Chief Superintendent in place of (or on behalf of) the regular co-signer, DCS [[Arthur Cunningham]].<ref>Conrad Dixon, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494422-3rd-oct-1968-weekly-report-on-preparations-for.html Report into the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's "Autumn Offensive"], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 3 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref><ref>Conrad Dixon, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494419-22nd-oct-1968-assessment-on-upcoming-demo-of.html Report into the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's "Autumn Offensive"], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 22 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>
  
 
For example, in early October 1968, he signs a report of [[Conrad Dixon]], on behalf of his Chief Superintendent, regarding the decision by CND not to support the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's demonstration of 27 October and about the internal mood within the VSC.<ref>Conrad Dixon, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494421-9th-oct-1968-reports-cnd-not-backing-27th-oct-demo.html "VSC Autumn Offensive"], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 9 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>
 
For example, in early October 1968, he signs a report of [[Conrad Dixon]], on behalf of his Chief Superintendent, regarding the decision by CND not to support the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's demonstration of 27 October and about the internal mood within the VSC.<ref>Conrad Dixon, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494421-9th-oct-1968-reports-cnd-not-backing-27th-oct-demo.html "VSC Autumn Offensive"], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 9 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>
  
Six months later, in March 1969, he also signs a report into the Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam demonstration on 9 March 1969 for of the Chief Superintendent.<ref> Detective Inspector (illegible), [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494413-9th-march-1969-sb-report-on-demo.html March 9th Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 9 March 1969 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref> While a week later, now as Acting Chief Superintendent, he again signs a report on an upcoming Vietnam Solidarity Campaign demonstration.<ref>HG Lawrenson, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494411-16th-march-1969-report.html V.S.C. Demonstration], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 16 March 1969 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>  
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Six months later, in March 1969, his name is on a report on the Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam demonstration on 9 March 1969 signing off for the Chief Superintendent.<ref>Detective Inspector (illegible), [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494413-9th-march-1969-sb-report-on-demo.html March 9th Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 9 March 1969 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref> While a week later, now as Acting Chief Superintendent, he again signs a report on an upcoming Vietnam Solidarity Campaign demonstration.<ref>HG Lawrenson, [http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2494411-16th-march-1969-report.html V.S.C. Demonstration], ''Metropolitan Police Special Branch'', 16 March 1969 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).</ref>  
 +
 
 +
Curiously enough, the Special Branch files in this section were not part of the disclosure by the Undercover Policing Inquiry, while they have been available for years, released to the National Archives.
  
 
==Economic League==
 
==Economic League==
Line 35: Line 38:
 
[[File:HN336 statement on Lawrenson.png|thumb|200px|Section from statement of spycop HN336 noting Supt. Bert Lawrenson joining the Economic League.]]
 
[[File:HN336 statement on Lawrenson.png|thumb|200px|Section from statement of spycop HN336 noting Supt. Bert Lawrenson joining the Economic League.]]
  
SDS undercover officer HN336, known as [https://powerbase.info/index.php/Dick_Epps_(alias) Dick Epps]:<ref>[https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190509-First-Witness-Statement-of-HN336.pdf First Witness Statement of HN336 ('Dick Epps')], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', 9 May 2019 (published via upci.org.uk, 16 November 2020).</ref> mentioned Lawrenson in his witness statement:  
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At the hearings of the Undercover Policing Inquiry in November 2020, one of the former SDS undercover officers mentioned Lawrenson in his witness statement.<ref>[https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20426723-20190509-first-witness-statement-of-hn336 First Witness Statement of HN336 ('Dick Epps')], ''Metropolitan Police Service'', 9 May 2019 (published via upci.org.uk, 16 November 2020).</ref> HN336, who used the cover name  [https://powerbase.info/index.php/Dick_Epps_(alias) Dick Epps] while he was undercover between 1969 to 1972, when asked what he knew of the Special Branch and the Economic League, said:
 
:: Shortly after I joined the branch, the then Chief Superintendent of C Squad, I think his name was Lawrenson, retired and he joined the staff of the Economic League, and I was aware of that.
 
:: Shortly after I joined the branch, the then Chief Superintendent of C Squad, I think his name was Lawrenson, retired and he joined the staff of the Economic League, and I was aware of that.
  
Reference to 'the branch' is thought to be a mistake for the Special Demonstration Squad, which HN336 joined in early 1969. He also served time on the Special Branch Industrial Section and appeared as 'Dan' in ''True Spies''.
+
Reference to 'the branch' is thought to be a mistake for the Special Demonstration Squad, which HN336 joined in early 1969. He also appeared as 'Dan' in ''True Spies'', the BBC series first revealing the existence of the SDS in 2002.
  
 
A search of the Police and Constabulary Almanac shows that Bert Lawrenson indeed left, as he is last recorded as a Metropolitan police officer in 1969, as an Acting Chief Superintendent.<ref name="pcalmanacs">Police and Constabulary Almanacs, miscellaneous years, R Hazell & co.</ref>  
 
A search of the Police and Constabulary Almanac shows that Bert Lawrenson indeed left, as he is last recorded as a Metropolitan police officer in 1969, as an Acting Chief Superintendent.<ref name="pcalmanacs">Police and Constabulary Almanacs, miscellaneous years, R Hazell & co.</ref>  
 +
 +
  
 
Given his role in C Squad, Lawrenson's move to blacklisting organisation the [[Economic League]] is concerning. He would have seen numerous intelligence reports on people who were being systematically targeted for their political beliefs. His understanding of Special Branch officers and structures would also provide knowledge and contacts useful for the Economic League.
 
Given his role in C Squad, Lawrenson's move to blacklisting organisation the [[Economic League]] is concerning. He would have seen numerous intelligence reports on people who were being systematically targeted for their political beliefs. His understanding of Special Branch officers and structures would also provide knowledge and contacts useful for the Economic League.
  
Lawrenson indeed had direct awareness of the newly founded SDS, a Home Office file dated 29 August 1968 shows. This ''Note for File regarding a meeting where mention is made of a new 'special squad' set up in Special Branch''<ref>F.4, [https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UCPI0000030046.pdf Note for file], Home Office, 29 August 1968, accessed via UCPI.org.uk as document UCPI0000030046 with title ''Note for File regarding a meeting where mention is made of a new 'special squad' set up in Special Branch''.</ref> is authored by someone within the F.4 Division, which in 1968 oversaw security liaison, subversive activities and public order, among other things.<ref name="pcalmanacs">Police and Constabulary Almanacs, miscellaneous years, R Hazell & co.</ref><ref>The Division was headed by R. A. James, who is of interest in subsequent funding of the SDS</ref> The Note records that Supt. Lawrenson had invited the author to a 'meeting with Senior Superintendent Cunningham and Chief Inspector Dickson [sic]. We reviewed our joint coverage of London University and various polytechnics'. It goes on to say:
 
:: Briefly, Special Branch have set up a special squad under Dickson, bearded and unwashed males and scruffy female, who are participating in demonstrations where they make contact with students and then hope to turn them and use them as short term informers. They are meeting with some success.
 
 
This identifies Lawrenson, Dixon and Cunningham as working close together in August 1968 and Lawrenson knowing of the SDS from the very start.
 
  
Nevertheless, the Metropolitan Police's investigation into sharing of police files with blacklist firms makes no mention of Lawrenson.<ref>Dónal O'Driscoll, [http://specialbranchfiles.uk/operation-reuben-unpicked-pt2/ Operation Reuben Unpicked: police involvement in blacklisting (part 2)], ''SpecialBranchFiles.uk'', June 2019 (accessed 9 November 2020).</ref>
 
  
 
==Other details==
 
==Other details==

Revision as of 18:33, 2 March 2021


URG logo 1.png

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



Part of a series on
undercover police management
HG 'Bert' Lawrenson
Lawrenson signature.png
Alias: n/a
Deployment: before 1963 - circa 1970
Unit:
Targets:
n/a

HG "Bert" Lawrenson is a former senior officer in the Metropolitan Police Special Branch, who transferred to the Economic League' London Regional Office as soon as he retired.

1963

The first known appearance of Lawrenson as a Special Branch Detective Inspector is in 1963. Activist group 'Spies for Peace' had released top secret details of the governments plans for 'Regional Seats of Government', which was picked up by the wider peace movement. As part of an effort to prevent further publicising of the details, the state issued various warnings. These included a visit from Special Branch, in the form of Detective Inspectors Wood and Lawrenson, to Peace News due to that newspaper's plans to publish the details. Despite this, Peace News put the story on it's front page.'[1]

With C Squad

According to a former colleague, Lawrenson was a Superintendent in charge of C Squad in 1960s and early 1970s - having succeeded Harold Suttling in that role.[2] Dates are as yet uncertain, but he certainly held the rank of Superintendent by late 1967 and subsequent years.</ref>[3]

In this role, he would have overseen Special Branch's intelligence gathering on political groups - its remit variously including Communists and Subversives/ Public Order / Domestic Extremism. Lawrenson's former colleague, John Streeter in an obituary in 2014 puts it this way: "In those distant days one of the functions of ‘C’ Squad was to ‘monitor’ the subversive activities of extreme left wing organisations such as the CP, WRP, and many others doubtless still remembered with ‘affection’ by many of a certain vintage."[2][4][5][6] Lawrenson was deputy to the then head of Special Branch, Chief Superintendent Arthur Cunningham.

Special Demonstration Squad

1968 saw a mass movement against the Vietnam War, including large scale demonstrations in London. Special Branch played a key role in the police response to this,[7] including setting up undercover unit, the Special Demonstration Squad in September that year, targeting the large scale 27 October mobilisation.[8]

The 29 August 1968 Note to File from F.4 Division, Home Office

As was revealed in files released by the Inquiry in November 2020, the SDS had a close working relationship with the secret service from the very beginning. Lawrenson was personally involved in cementing this relationship. A first meeting between Special Branch and MI5 was held on 1 August, the day after the creation of the Squad, the intention to cooperate was recorded. Present were Director F, F.1 and F.4 of MI5 and Commander [Ferguson Smith], head of Special Branch), Chief Superintendent [Arthur Cunningham] and Chief Inspector Dixon. On 2nd August, Dixon and Inspector Saunders visited the Security Service to tie up liaison arranchments, the SDS was to have a liaison at MI5, to see what would happen with the intelligence sent there.[9] Next, it was Superintendent Lawrenson who invited MI5 to Special Branch to iron out the final details of the cooperation.[10] F.4 reports on the meeting with "Senior Superintendent Cunningham and Chief Inspector Dickson [sic], writing 'We reviewed our joint coverage of London University and various polytechnics'. It goes on to say:

Briefly, Special Branch have set up a special squad under Dickson, bearded and unwashed males and scruffy female, who are participating in demonstrations where they make contact with students and then hope to turn them and use them as short term informers. They are meeting with some success.

Lawrenson and the founder of the SDS DCI Conrad Dixon share a history of working at 'C' Squad. As such Lawrenson had reported on groups active in the Anti-Vietnam war movement, even before the SDS was set up.

In March 1968, after the first large demonstration against the war in Vietnam in London on the 17th, Lawrenson authored a report on a smaller protest a week later by Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.[11]

Throughout 1968 and 1969 Lawrenson's name appears on a number of reports submitted by DI Conrad Dixon into the activities of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign; signing them as Acting Detective Chief Superintendent in place of (or on behalf of) the regular co-signer, DCS Arthur Cunningham.[12][13]

For example, in early October 1968, he signs a report of Conrad Dixon, on behalf of his Chief Superintendent, regarding the decision by CND not to support the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's demonstration of 27 October and about the internal mood within the VSC.[14]

Six months later, in March 1969, his name is on a report on the Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam demonstration on 9 March 1969 signing off for the Chief Superintendent.[15] While a week later, now as Acting Chief Superintendent, he again signs a report on an upcoming Vietnam Solidarity Campaign demonstration.[16]

Curiously enough, the Special Branch files in this section were not part of the disclosure by the Undercover Policing Inquiry, while they have been available for years, released to the National Archives.

Economic League

Section from statement of spycop HN336 noting Supt. Bert Lawrenson joining the Economic League.

At the hearings of the Undercover Policing Inquiry in November 2020, one of the former SDS undercover officers mentioned Lawrenson in his witness statement.[17] HN336, who used the cover name Dick Epps while he was undercover between 1969 to 1972, when asked what he knew of the Special Branch and the Economic League, said:

Shortly after I joined the branch, the then Chief Superintendent of C Squad, I think his name was Lawrenson, retired and he joined the staff of the Economic League, and I was aware of that.

Reference to 'the branch' is thought to be a mistake for the Special Demonstration Squad, which HN336 joined in early 1969. He also appeared as 'Dan' in True Spies, the BBC series first revealing the existence of the SDS in 2002.

A search of the Police and Constabulary Almanac shows that Bert Lawrenson indeed left, as he is last recorded as a Metropolitan police officer in 1969, as an Acting Chief Superintendent.[3]


Given his role in C Squad, Lawrenson's move to blacklisting organisation the Economic League is concerning. He would have seen numerous intelligence reports on people who were being systematically targeted for their political beliefs. His understanding of Special Branch officers and structures would also provide knowledge and contacts useful for the Economic League.


Other details

Lawrenson on frontpage of the Morning Star, 18 November 2020.

He is probably the Herbert Guy Lawrenson, born 12 July 1915, Warrington; died 10 Sept 1995, Ruislip. If he is correctly identified as the person born 1915, he would have been at police retirement age around 1970.

Undercover Policing Inquiry

Following the mention of Lawrenson in the statement of HN336 / 'Dick Epps', the significance of the mention was realised by campaigners. It was used by Dave Smith of the Blacklist Support Group in his Opening Statement.[18] This in turn lead to stories in the mainstream press,[19] including the front cover of the print edition of the Morning Star of 18 November 2020.[20]


Notes

  1. Resistance Shall Grow: the story of the 'Spies for Peace' and why they are important for your future, jointly published by a number of groups, 1963, p.11 (accessed via Libcom.org).
  2. 2.0 2.1 John Streeter, Ian Adams who died on Wednesday 14th May 2014., 8/18 Association Newsletter, Edition 51, Autumn 2014. John Streeter wrote: ”I enjoyed the somewhat dubious pleasure of working with Ian Adams way back in the late 60s and early 70s when we both served together on ‘C’ Squad then under the command of Supt ‘Bert’ Lawrenson ably assisted by CIs ‘Ron’ Floor, Norman Murray and ‘Bill’ Tucker.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Police and Constabulary Almanacs, miscellaneous years, R Hazell & co.
  4. Special Branch Introduction and summary of responsibilities, Metropolitan Police Special Branch, August 2004.
  5. Oliver Sanders QC, Robert McAllister & Claire Palmer, Amended written opening statement on behalf of the Designated Lawyer officer core participant group for hearing: 3-4 November 2020, Metropolitan Police Service, 28 October 2020 (accessed via ucpi.org.uk).
  6. Special Branch Introduction and summary of responsibilities, Metropolitan Police Special Branch, August 2004 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  7. Dónal O’Driscoll, 1968 – Protest and Special Branch, Undercover Research Group, 14 April 2018 (accessed 2 April 2020, via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  8. Paul Lewis & Rob Evans, Undercover: The true story of Britain's secret poilce, Guardian Faber, 2013.
  9. UCPI0000030045, 2 August 1968.
  10. F.4, Note for file regarding a meeting where mention is made of a new 'special squad' set up in Special Branch, Security Service, 29 August 1968, accessed via UCPI.org.uk UCPI0000030046)
  11. HG Lawrenson, Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Metropolitan Police Special Branch, 24 March 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  12. Conrad Dixon, Report into the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's "Autumn Offensive", Metropolitan Police Special Branch, 3 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  13. Conrad Dixon, Report into the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's "Autumn Offensive", Metropolitan Police Special Branch, 22 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  14. Conrad Dixon, "VSC Autumn Offensive", Metropolitan Police Special Branch, 9 October 1968 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  15. Detective Inspector (illegible), March 9th Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam, Metropolitan Police Special Branch, 9 March 1969 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  16. HG Lawrenson, V.S.C. Demonstration, Metropolitan Police Special Branch, 16 March 1969 (accessed via SpecialBranchFiles.uk).
  17. First Witness Statement of HN336 ('Dick Epps'), Metropolitan Police Service, 9 May 2019 (published via upci.org.uk, 16 November 2020).
  18. Dave Smith, Opening Statement, Blacklist Support Group', 17 November 2020 as updated 17 November 2020 (accessed via ucpi.org.uk).
  19. Rob Evans, Police chief who spied on activists went on to work for union blacklist, inquiry told, The Guardian, 17 November 2020 (accessed 18 November 2020).
  20. Former cop who spied on trade unionists left the force to join blacklist firm, Morning Star, 18 November 2020 (accessed 18 November 2020).