The centre for crime and justice held a two day conference on subversion, sabotage and spying at Southbank university over the weekend.

It  was co-organised by The Monitoring Group and the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, supported by Imran Khan and Partners and Tottenham Rights and hosted by London South Bank University, School of Law and Social Sciences.

An impressive line up of speakers of politicians, activists, academics discussed the role and impact of undercover policing and the surveillance of protest groups and ‘suspect communities’ and Baroness Doreen Lawrence criticised Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met police commissioner, saying he should be ashamed of himself for attempting to ensure that large parts of the ‘public inquiry’ into police spying be held private. Rob Evans’ full report with more detailed comments from Baroness Lawrence can be read on The Guardian website here.

The Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell MP, also spoke, criticising the lack of democratic control, transparency and openness on policing operations. He recognised the need to continue campaigning and maintain pressure to ensure the Inquiry delivers answers.

A statement was also delivered from Piers Doggart, the Solicitor to the Undercover Policing Inquiry, a copy of which can be viewed on the Pitchford Inquiry website.