THREE independent reviews are under way after the collapse of a trial of six protesters allegedly involved in a bid to shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station.
The case was abandoned when allegations emerged about the role of undercover policeman Mark Kennedy, who had spent seven years with climate change activists.
The Post has been looking at what exactly the three different probes will be focusing on:
Review by the Independent Police Complaints Commission – requested by Notts Police:
The IPCC is investigating the disclosure of evidence in the case against the six people whose trial on charges of conspiracy-to-trespass was abandoned.
The IPCC will review "the alleged failure by Nottinghamshire Police to disclose relevant material to the Crown Prosecution Service in this case".
Mr Kennedy has claimed the force suppressed recordings he made, which he said would have cast doubt on whether activists should have been charged. Notts Police have said the force requested an investigation to see whether policing in the case was carried out in an ethical and proportionate manner, but said it would not comment further at this stage.
Review by the Serious And Organised Crime Agency – requested by Notts Police, Metropolitan Police and the Association Of Chief Police Officers,
The agency is undertaking a review "of the deployment of PC Mark Kennedy as an undercover officer".
ACPO oversees the National Public Order Intelligence Unit , which recruited Mark Kennedy in 2002.
The review will look into the "operational activities of the officer to ensure they were lawful and consistent with those officially authorised".
Time Godwin, Acting Commissioner of the Met, said the reports of Mr Kennedy's case were "concerning" but that there were "all sorts of checks and balances" around the use of undercover officers.
SOCA director general Trevor Pearce, who spent five years as chairman of the ACPO national undercover working group, will lead the investigation.
Speaking about Mr Kennedy's role earlier this week, policing minister Nick Herbert said: "It's clear to us all that something operationally has gone very wrong."
Review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate Of Constabulary:
This is the official inquiry into undercover police work carried out by ACPO in general. Inspector Bernard Hogan-Howe, from HMIC, will lead it.
Rather than just looking at the conduct of Mark Kennedy, HMIC will investigate "the operational accountability of undercover work conducted by the NPOIU" and assess "how intelligence activity is authorised in accordance with law."
It will also consider "the proportionality of covert tactics."
Policing minister Nick Herbert said there needed to be "proper accountability" for ACPO.
He said: "Units like this [the NPOIU] should not be operated by ACPO and they should be operated either by a lead police force or in future the National Crime Agency where there is proper governance in place."
The HMIC review will "undoubtedly" lead to a review of the code of conduct and rules for undercover officers in collaboration with bodies like HMIC, said Mr Godwin.
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