17. Tradecraft

Andy Whittaker investigates how involved MI5 was in the deployment of undercover officers with political and protest groups and shares analysis of the first official report from the chairman at the public inquiry. Also former undercover officer Neil Woods shares his thoughts on undercover policing in general.

The 2020 public inquiry started hearing evidence and ‘Madeleine’ was the first deceived woman to give her account.Kate Wilson, who had a two year relationship with undercover officer Mark Kennedy, also gets her day in court.Featuring activist and podcast maker Tom Fowler from south Wales who explains how the inquiry works.

How undercover police officers contributed to an illegal blacklist being maintained in a secretive Worcestershire business called the ‘Consulting Association’.Featuring Dave Smith and ‘Madeleine’ who talks about how a knock on her front door from a representative of the undercover policing inquiry, changed her life.

Andy Whittaker reviews the Special Demonstration Squad’s tradecraft handbook, with advice on how an officer should act whilst undercover.Also, Andy Coles, brother of TV presenter Rev. Richard Coles, is the latest undercover police officer to be unmasked. ‘Jessica’ describes the sexual relationship she says she had with him. Featuring forensic psychologist Dr Catrin Williams.

Donna McLean, and ‘Lindsey’ share details of their long relationships with spycop Carlo Neri.

Former Special Demonstration Squad officer ‘Peter Black’, who was really Peter Francis, turns whistleblower. Peter's claims include finding 'dirt' on activists involved in the campaign to get justice for the death of London teenager Stephen Lawrence.Featuring Rob Evans from the Guardian and intelligence expert John Buckley.Also, activist turned investigator Donal O’Driscoll reveals how the Undercover Research Group came up with a new method of identifying undercover officers called ‘The 15 Questions’.

Exploring the activities of ’Rod Richardson', the last undercover cop to use the identity of a dead child. The real Rod Richardson died three days after his birth and his mum campaigned for justice until she passed away. Andy Whittaker also meets Frank Bennett, whose brother Michael Hartley had his identity used by a police officer after he died.Featuring intelligence expert John Buckley and Sumac Centre volunteers Sasha and Heather.

Solicitor Harriet Wistrach explains how a number of deceived women came together to take legal action against the police. Featuring ‘Alison’ who describes her relationship with ‘Mark Cassidy’, who was really Mark Jenner and a former undercover officer Neil Woods shares his experiences of being a ‘spycop’. This episode also features intelligence expert John Buckley.

Officers from the ‘Special Demonstration Squad’, known as the SDS, are revealed. This secretive police department has been spying on activists since 1968 and two officers fathered children with their targets.‘Rosa’, ‘Jacqui’ and Helen Steel talk about their former partners who were later revealed to be Jim Boyling, Bob Lambert and John Dines. Also, activist John from Oxford and Lawyer Mike Schwarz discuss John's appeal after originally being convicted over a planned protest at Ratcliffe on Soar power station.

Andy Whittaker explores how the activists managed to identify two further undercover officers after Mark Kennedy’s unmasking. Tom Fowler from south Wales talks about his friendship with an officer known as ‘Marco Jacobs’ and Zoe Young explains how she met ‘Lynn Watson’ during a ‘clown’ training camp. The role of ‘Deborah’ is played by Luci Lewis.