THE spycops inquiry, which has been uncovering the shocking scale of abuses committed by Britain’s covert political policing units, is set to resume next week. 

On Monday October 13, the Undercover Policing Inquiry will begin its Tranche 3 (Phase 1) hearings, examining operations carried out by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) from the early 1990s through to 2008.

The inquiry has revealed the extraordinary lengths to which undercover officers went to infiltrate political and activist movements since the SDS was formed in 1968.

Spies’ abuses include deceiving women into long-term relationships, even fathering children, colluding in the blacklisting of thousands of trade unionists, and stealing the identities of deceased children to create fake personas.

Among those giving evidence next week will be Doreen and Neville Lawrence, who were subject to monitoring and reports from the SDS while mourning their son, who had been murdered by racists. 

Lois Austin and Hannah Sell will recount how undercover officers infiltrated Youth Against Racism in Europe and other anti-racist movements. 

Whistleblower Peter Francis, a former SDS officer, will talk about spying on anti-racist groups and what went on behind the scenes.

Women who were deceived into intimate relationships with officers, including Mark “Cassidy” Jenner and James “Straven” Thompson, will also give evidence, alongside the officers themselves.

Participants are demanding that they are given access to the personal files held on them, as well as apologies from the police, MI5 and the government.

On Thursday, the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance will hold a protest outside the inquiry at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, demanding accountability for those involved.