LABOUR MPs were urged by trade unionists and campaigners to defy the party whip today and vote against a Bill that would authorise violent crime committed by undercover police officers and agents.

The government’s Covert Human Intelligence Source (Criminal Conduct) Bill had its second reading this evening after the Star went to print.

Labour MPs were on a one-line whip to abstain on the vote. Leader Sir Keir Starmer was set to let the Bill progress so that the party could press the government on “robust safeguards” at and after the committee stage.