AN INQUIRY into undercover policing was branded a “farce” yesterday as counsel for the victims complained that keeping the officers anonymised would undermine the purpose of the inquiry.

Counsel for the victims said they were “extremely disappointed” with the inquiry’s progress and several observers left the public gallery at London’s High Court during proceedings.

Inquiry chairman Sir John Mitting heard applications for anonymity by seven former officers from the Metropolitan Police’s special demonstration squad (SDS).