Doreen Lawrence Challenges Decision to Excuse Undercover Officer from Inquiry
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12 hours ago
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Imran Khan KC, representing Doreen Lawrence, is challenging a ruling by the Spycops Inquiry that prevents undercover officer David Hagan from giving live evidence.
The Inquiry, which examines decades of undercover policing and surveillance of campaigners, had ruled that Hagan was too unwell to appear. However, Doreen Lawrence and other victims of covert surveillance argue that he is a key witness whose evidence should be tested publicly.
In submissions to the Inquiry, Imran Khan KC will argue that Sir John Mitting, the chair, “should approach this medical evidence with caution and suspicion,” adding that “there appears to be a growing pattern of undercover officers citing mental ill-health as a reason to avoid attending the inquiry to give oral evidence.”
Doreen Lawrence has criticised what she described as “cowardly and disgraceful” attempts by officers to avoid public scrutiny over the monitoring of her family’s campaign for justice following the racist murder of her son, Stephen Lawrence, in 1993.
The challenge will be heard on Monday 3rd November, as the Inquiry continues to investigate systemic failures in police accountability and the long-term impact of undercover operations on families and campaigners.
