Politicians call for Scottish inquiry into undercover police activity

Following the news the Home Secretary Theresa May said the UK government is “not minded” to extend a judge-led inquiry into undercover police officers’ activity north of the border, politicians have called on Justice Secretary Michael Matheson to establish a Scottish inquiry.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes MSP has said Mr Matheson must accept the need for a separate Scottish inquiry into undercover police operations if the Home Office refuses to extend the Pitchford Inquiry north of the border.

Ms McInnes said: “There are talks ongoing between the Justice Secretary for Scotland and Home Secretary Theresa May but if these don’t get anywhere, the Justice Secretary must accept the need for a separate inquiry to take place in Scotland.

“The police-public interaction in these circumstances has been shocking. It is the kind of behaviour that goes far beyond both professional and moral boundaries and flies in the face of common decency.

“An open and thorough investigation into the extent of undercover policing in Scotland must be commissioned, so lessons can be learnt and clear terms of engagement established for the future.”