For more than four decades, police forces ran a covert operation spying on thousands of citizens, infiltrating political groups working for peace, animal rights, social and environmental justice. Officers were deployed deep undercover, creating fake identities and deceiving women into long-term, intimate relationships, some resulting in children. Thanks to the determination and investigative work of a number of the women involved an Undercover Policing inquiry was secured, via which the full scope of these intrusive, undercover operations is being revealed.
Join us to hear first-hand testimony from Alison and Belinda, core participants in the inquiry, members of Police Spies Out of Lives and co-authors of The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed alongside Lucy Wilcox, director of the subsequent ITV documentary as they discuss how this state-sanctioned abuse of their human rights was allowed to happen and how institutionalised misogyny and sexism still exists in the police to this day.
Alison (a pseudonym) and Belinda Harvey are two of the eight women who first took legal action against the Metropolitan police over the conduct of undercover officers.
In the 1980s, Belinda was deceived into a two year relationship with undercover Bob Lambert who spied on animal rights activists. A decade later, Alison was deceived into a five year relationship with undercover officer Mark Jenner who spied on anti-racist, anti-fascist groups and trade unions.
Both Alison and Belinda are core participants in the judge led public inquiry into undercover policing and was one of seven women who brought a claim against the UK government to the United Nations Campaign for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
They are part of Police Spies Out of Lives, a campaign and support group for women affected by deceitful, intimate relationships with undercover police, and they are co-authors of The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed and contributors to the ITV documentary based on the book.
Lucy Wilcox is responsible for directing some of the highest ratings documentaries of the last few years. She has a love of observational filming and creating honest stories and directing stories that are talked about by millions. Her programs and have been nominated for and won multiple awards. She’s very experienced at building strong, ethical relationships with people Lucy makes domestic and important subjects accessible to large audiences, bringing surprise, humour and warmth to all projects. Her projects are often about families of all shapes and sizes, it’s the subject that interests her the most.
Web: policespiesoutoflives.org.uk
X: @out_of_lives | @alisonspycops | @Belinda11352092
Facebook: @policespiesoutoflives
We encourage people to use public transport to travel to events where possible.
Public Transport
Bus: 204, 26, 500, 75, 82
Nearest bus stop: Windsor Street (Approx. 5 min walk)
Nearest train station(s): Liverpool Central (Approx. 24 min walk), Liverpool Lime Street (Approx. 27 min walk)
*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.
Toxteth Library, Windsor Street, Liverpool, L8 1XF
£8.00
Date: May 8, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ends: 9:00 pm
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