Police 'pay protester informers'
"feed them intelligence"
The paper says it has obtained tapes of discussions between men claiming
to be undercover officers from Strathclyde Police and a Plane Stupid
activist.
The recordings appear to show money being offered for information.
Strathclyde Police said officers had spoken to the group and the force
had a responsibility to gather evidence.
The Guardian says the recordings were made during meetings between
Strathclyde Police and Matilda Gifford, an activist with environmental
protest group Plane Stupid, which campaigns against airport expansion.
The taped evidence appears to show her being offered money to reveal
information about the organisation'
'Respecting rights'
An indication was given that tens of thousands of pounds had been paid
to other informers in the past. Miss Gifford's student loans were also
discussed.
In the three hours of recordings, the unnamed men also claimed to have a
network of hundreds of informants inside protest organisations across
the political spectrum.
The Assistant Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, George Hamilton,
told the Guardian the force had "a responsibility to gather
intelligence"
"Officers from Strathclyde Police have been in contact with a number of
protesters who were involved with the Plane Stupid protests including
Aberdeen airport," he said.
"The purpose of this contact has been to ensure that any future protest
activity is carried out within the law and in a manner which respects
the rights of all concerned."
But Miss Gifford said police were trying to disrupt the legitimate
activity of environmental groups.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2009/04/25 02:11:56 GMT
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