Park Life 71 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Protester to sue police over secret surveillance John Catt, aged 86, has had his presence at peaceful protests systematically logged by secretive police unit over four years Rob Evans and Paul Lewis The Guardian, Tuesday 3 May 2011 Article history A policeman and two children at an anti-war protest A Sussex Action for Peace protest in Brighton: Police made records of John Catt's attendence at a number of protests organised by the group. Photograph: Ian Waldie/Getty Images An 86-year-old man has been granted permission to launch a lawsuit against police chiefs who have classified him as a "domestic extremist" and kept a detailed record of his political activities on a clandestine database. John Catt, who has no criminal record, is bringing the high court action against a secretive police unit which systematically logged his presence at more than 55 peace and human rights protests over a four-year period. Some of the entries record his habit of taking out his sketch pad and drawing the scene at demonstrations. Other entries contain notes on his appearance – such as "clean shaven" – and the slogans on his clothes. His lawsuit will challenge the power of police to compile secret files on law-abiding protesters. A victory for Catt, a pensioner who lives in Brighton, would be a further blow to the police unit, which has been criticised for using undercover officers to infiltrate protest groups. The exposure of spies such as Mark Kennedy, who spent seven years working undercover in the environmental movement, has highlighted the way in which the National Public Order Intelligence Unit has been carrying out surveillance of protesters." The old database lark raises its ugly head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31592 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'd be more worried about how much the police have spent on keeping an eye on him rather than which of his rights have been infringed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31592 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'd be more worried about how much the police have spent on keeping an eye on him rather than which of his rights have been infringed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'd be more worried about how much the police have spent on keeping an eye on him rather than which of his rights have been infringed. That is the main thing he's saying as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeazesMag 0 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 he should have wore a burkha so they wouldn't have known it was him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 As me Granny would say, they must be short of something to do. That applies to him and the police. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2207 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I'd be more worried about how much the police have spent on keeping an eye on him rather than which of his rights have been infringed. Yes, I thought we were paying them to spy on the Irish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Apparently they were hiding behind the wisteria in the garden centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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