HN9
This article is part of the Undercover Research Portal at Powerbase - investigating corporate and police spying on activists
HN9 is the cipher given to a former Special Demonstration Squad undercover officer who was deployed into one group in the 1980s. They were later a cover officer for undercovers deployed by the unit in the 2000s. Currently in their 50s.[1]
For the N cipher system see N officers page.
As an SDS officer
HN9 was mentioned by the undercover N81 in his interview: 'N9 later told me that it was quite usual for SDS management to arrange meetings between operatives and outside persons at the management’s homes. This was because such persons would not be able to attend SDS safe houses.' (Ellison, p. 232).[2] This was in relation to the controversial meeting between HN81 and Richard Walton, then of the Lawrence Review Team.
In the Undercover Policing Inquiry
April 2018: the Inquiry Chair, John Mitting indicated he is minded to grant a restriction order preventing release of either the cover or real name of HN9, stating:[1]
- No risk to the safety of HN9 arises from any member of the target group. None of them poses any risk of interference with private or family life. But for the factor mentioned below, I would have refused to make a restriction order in respect of cover name.
The factor mentioned is that Dr. Busuttil, examining HN9 found that should even the cover name be released, HN9 would be 'at high risk of developing a severe depressive episode', or even consider suicide. On question whether mitigating steps could be taken, Busuttill said notwithstanding, the suicide risk remained 'extremely high'.[1]
- 15 Jan 2018, granted further time to provide the Inquiry with information being sought in relation to their restriction order application.[3][4]
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 the Special Demonstrations Squad - 'Minded to' note 8, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 26 April 2018.
- ↑ Mark Ellison, The Stephen Lawrence Independent Review - Volume 1: Possible corruption and the role of undercover policing in the Stephen Lawrence case, Gov.UK, March 2014.
- ↑ Press notice - ‘Minded-to’ anonymity: Special Demonstration Squad Officers (HN13, HN296, HN304, HN339, HN340, HN354, HN356/124, HN61, HN819, HN109, HN9, HN66), Undercover Policing Inquiry, 15 January 2018.
- ↑ Sir John Mitting, Applications for restriction orders in respect of the real and cover names of officers of the Special Operations Squad and the Special Demonstration Squad: 'Minded to' note 3, Undercover Policing Inquiry, 15 January 2018.
