Undercover policeman’s role prompts inquiry calls

British police are in the spotlight after a trial against six power plant protesters collapsed.

The prosecution fell apart when details began to emerge about the role of undercover police officer Mark Kennedy. He infiltrated a group accused of trying to shut down the power station in Nottingham.

But, the case was suddenly dropped after Kennedy switched sides in favour of the defendants.

The lawyer for the activists, Mike Schwarz, said: ‘‘My clients were not guilty. They did not agree to join in any plan to occupy the power station. The evidence of PC Kennedy presumably confirmed this. Yet that evidence, had it been kept secret, could have led to a miscarriage of justice. Serious questions must be asked relating to the whole policing of this protest.’‘

Last week 20 protesters received light sentences for the 2009 protest at the power plant.

Parliament wants an explanation from the minister in charge of the police. Others are demanding an inquiry into PC Kennedy, asking if he turned agent provocateur.

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