Undercover policing

An independent review of undercover policing in Scotland provides reassurance to the public around the scale and extent of the use of undercover police officers since 2000.

The independent HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) report ‘A Strategic Review of Undercover Policing in Scotland’ identifies room for improvement and makes 19 recommendations that Police Scotland have committed to implement in full.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson welcomed the report and confirmed that setting up a separate Scottish inquiry would not be in the public interest.

Mr Matheson has also written to the Home Secretary asking her to reconsider the terms of reference of the Undercover Policing Inquiry’s remit to include the activity of English and Welsh police units in Scotland.

He said:

“I am very grateful to HMICS for a comprehensive consideration of this issue and it’s clear from the findings that there are lessons to be learned. I am pleased to say that Police Scotland are committed to implementing these recommendations to provide further assurance around the operation of their undercover officers.

“I appreciate there is some legitimate public concern about undercover policing activity in Scotland, and I took those concerns into account in reaching a decision. However, on balance, I consider that establishing a separate Scottish inquiry is not a proportionate response.

“There is no evidence of any systemic failings within undercover policing by Scottish police. I have again written to the Home Secretary asking her to reconsider extending the terms of reference of the Undercover Policing Inquiry to allow it to look at the activity of English and Welsh police units in Scotland.”

Background

Read A Strategic Review of Undercover Policing in Scotland on the HMICS website.