Bhatt Murphy acts for a number of clients who embarked upon campaigns for justice after family members were either killed by police officers or died after contact with the police. We also act for community groups that campaigned for justice and accountability and who assisted in legal proceedings against the police. These groups include the Broadwater Farm Defence Committee, the Hackney Community Defence Association (‘HCDA’) and the Colin Roach Centre as well as Sharon Grant MBE, the widow of Bernie Grant MP.
We now know that two police officers reported directly on these clients with one officer having been directly tasked to infiltrate HCDA. The Commissioner has accepted that the officers’ managers should never have allowed them to secretly obtain and report information on our clients’ campaigns. He has also accepted that none of our clients were engaged in the type of activity that could justify the undercover deployments and that the deployments were unjustified and unnecessary noting that our clients “were engaged in legitimate activities including seeking to hold the MPS accountable for its own conduct and decision-making.”
In our clients’ opening statement, they outline the gross intrusion into their privacy at a time when they were grieving and explain how this has compounded their pain and anger. Counsel for our clients, Leslie Thomas KC, called on the Commissioner to offer them a direct apology:
“A general apology that does not even name those most directly affected can never be enough. Until those families receive a personal apology, the stain on the reputation of the Metropolitan Police will endure.”
The video of Leslie Thomas KC’s opening statement on behalf of our clients is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/A2ikGACnJeI?si=r5E6T-mGiBWmEE3J&t=1998. (Statement begins at 33.20 and ends at 1.35.55).
Our clients’ opening statement is here: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/T3P1-Opening-Statement-Bhatt-Murphy.pdf
The Commissioner’s opening statement is here: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/T3P1-Opening-Statement-Commissioners-Lawyers-MPS.pdf
Simon Creighton, Molly Cox and Raju Bhatt of Bhatt Murphy act for the clients, instructing Leslie Thomas KC of Garden Court Chambers and Sam Jacobs of Doughty Street Chambers.
