Met boss praises ‘brave’ covert officers

SCOTLAND Yard boss Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe today praised “incredibly brave” undercover police officers as an inquiry began into their methods.

Home Secretary Theresa May announced the judge-led inquiry in March after it emerged that a secret police unit spied on campaigners fighting for justice for Stephen Lawrence. There were also revelations that officers had had relationships with women while undercover.

Sir Bernard told BBC London Radio: “We will make the case that our undercover officers are incredibly brave. They deal with some very dangerous people and we think this is a vital part of our toolset … This is an important tactic we have but equally it has to be done within the law.”