Cops admit undercover relationships were an 'abuse of police power'

The Metropolitan Police has conceded that the relationships undercover cops had with women were “an abuse of police power”.

The Met apologised and said the relationships violated women’s human rights.

Confidential settlements with seven women were agreed last week. A number of other cases are yet to be settled.

The women were tricked into relationships with officers from Scotland Yard’s special demonstration squad and the national public order intelligence unit. The cops infiltrated campaign groups in the name of tackling “domestic extremism”.

The women said that the case exposed serious and systematic abuse of power by undercover officers and their managers.

Rosa was in a relationship for nine years with a man who called himself Jim Sutton.

She had children with the officer, whose real name was Jim Boyling.

Rosa said, “My life partner was fabricated by the state. He never existed.

“He used his professional skills of deception and manipulation to try to control my feelings and actions. I lived in an abusive relationship with him.”

Helen Steel said, “It isn’t like normal lying. They have the whole backing of the state they’ve got false driving licences, passports, jobs. You’ve got no chance against all of that.”

Last year the Crown Prosecution Service announced that officers would not be charged with any offences.