Public Inquiry

Undercover Policing Inquiry

Status: Ongoing Chair: Sir John Mitting Established: Jul 2015

Statutory inquiry examining undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces since 1968, focusing on the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU). Tranche 1 interim report published 29 June 2023 (covering 1968–1982). Tranche …

Reports & milestones

Reports

29 Jun 2023 0 tracked recs Undercover Policing Inquiry: Tranche 1 Interim Report · PDF

Timeline

12 Mar 2015 Inquiry Announced Home Secretary Theresa May announced a public inquiry into undercover policing.

28 Jul 2015 Chair Appointed Lord Justice Pitchford appointed as Chair.

28 Jul 2015 Terms of Referenc… Inquiry to examine undercover police operations by the SDS and NPOIU. · Source

03 Aug 2017 New Chair Appoint… Sir John Mitting appointed as Chair following Lord Justice Pitchford's death.

05 Nov 2018 Preliminary Heari… First substantive preliminary hearings held.

02 Nov 2020 Tranche 1 Hearing… Evidence hearings commence examining deployments from 1968-1982. · Source

29 Jun 2023 Tranche 1 Interim… Interim report published on Tranche 1 Phase 1 (1968-1982). · Source

01 Jul 2024 Tranche 2 Phase 1… Evidence hearings for Tranche 2 Phase 1 ran July-August 2024.

Parliamentary activity

26 mentions since May 2016

1 debate 20 questions 2 statements

11 Nov 2024 Early Day Motion Disclosure of Special Branch files
John McDonnell (Independent)

29 Jun 2023 Written Ministerial Statement Undercover Policing Inquiry: Tranche 1 Interim Report
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative)

29 Jun 2023 Written Ministerial Statement Undercover Policing Inquiry: Tranche 1 Interim Report
Suella Braverman (Conservative)

28 Nov 2022 Written Question Police: Surveillance
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party)

08 Jun 2021 Written Question Peers: Surveillance
Lord Balfe (Conservative)

View all 26 mentions →

Costs

Total: £137,067,000

Period	Total	Inquiry legal	CP legal	Source
Mar 2026 (cum.)	£137,067,000	£64,040,300	£23,284,000	link