PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE explains why opposing war is inseparable from defending jobs, wages and public services – and why readers should come to the London Peace Conference on Saturday June 20
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Special Branch spied on GLC’s ‘cop watch’ initiative
In an exclusive investigation, BETHANY RIELLY looks at how the state targeted leading politicians and campaigning groups — labelling many well-known figures 'extremists' and 'subversives' for attempting to hold the police to account
POLICING THE POLICE: GLC leader Ken Livingstone (centre), with committee chairman John McDonnell (l) - Finance and General Purposes - and Michael Ward (r), Industry and Employment, at County Hall, London, in January 1983
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SPECIAL BRANCH spied on elected members of the Labour-controlled General London Council (GLC) in the 1980s because of their efforts to improve police accountability, an extraordinary declassified report has revealed.
The 47-page police report from 1983 exposes a Special Branch operation targeting a GLC initiative to informally scrutinise the work of the Metropolitan Police.
The document, which has only come to light recently through the work of the ongoing undercover policing inquiry, contains extensive personal and financial information on dozens of individuals and justice and defence groups in London.
Among those targeted are Ken Livingstone, the then-leader of the GLC and future London mayor, and John McDonnell MP, who are described as “extremists.”
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