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Mark Kennedy encountered in London

Fitwatch friend | 18.02.2011 17:47 | Policing | Repression | Sheffield | World

Ex undercover policeman Mark Kennedy is now back in the UK.

The statement below has been verified by Fitwatch and the same statement will appear on their website shortly.

Last week ex-undercover police spy Mark Kennedy was encountered by chance by an activist who was an erstwhile friend. Kennedy was about to board a train at Euston Station in London. The person who saw him was extremely shaken and completely unsure as to what to do, but in the end they decided to accept Kennedy's offer to talk and ask him questions.

Immediately after this meeting the person went to another trusted friend and told them as much as they could remember of the conversation, and it was written down from memory. A wider group of activists was consulted in order to decide what to do. A decision was then made to let those who had been very close to Mark know asap that he was back in the UK; they wanted to make sure that nobody else was taken by surprise in this way. Another decision was made to write the following statement for Indymedia, to share the information freely with the movement.

It is important to state at the start that obviously we all have to assume that nothing Kennedy said can be trusted; although in this conversation he claimed he would “tell the truth from now on”, he refused to answer many questions, and some of what he said was known by his questioner to be untrue (these known lies are not repeated here). In addition, we are aware of the danger that by reporting Kennedy's words there is a danger of acting as unwilling proxies for Kennedy to push his own agenda. Bearing all that in mind, the conversation is summarised below.

Kennedy's appearance and current activities

Kennedy still has short hair, undyed, and has regrown his beard that he shaved off for Max Clifford. He was wearing a waterproof jacket, dark jeans, and trainers. He said he'd sold his motorbike and the narrowboat “Tamarisk”, although it seems likely from what he said, that he might be staying on the boat temporarily somewhere on the Grand Union canal just out of London, as Euston has lines serving this area.

He said that he was working on a documentary with an independent company, who he refused to name (but who are presumably operating in London). He said that he had been in the UK for three weeks and would remain here until the documentary was finished (approx 15 weeks in total, therefore for about another 12 weeks) and then planned to leave. He said that he was not going to be working on a film, but that there would be a book
as he wanted to 'get the truth out there', and claimed that no-one would be named in the documentary or in the book.

Kennedy and the media

He is being represented by Max Clifford but said that he hadn't been paid for his Mail on Sunday article yet, and that he hadn't even read it. Much of what he said in the conversation echoed much of the story in the Mail on Sunday on January 17th, and there was not much that was new.

Kennedy's undercover career

He said that the first time he ever appeared at an action was at Faslane.

He claimed never to have worked for Global Open (see  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/01/471916.html),
saying that he went to the animal rights gathering in Italy as a 'favour for a friend'. He said that he only contacted Global Open director Heather Millgate for advice on taking a legal case against the police for being beaten up at Drax.

He said that he personally knew of no other undercover officers that were in relationships with activists.
He said that his boss (presumably at NPOIU) was called Andy Nightingale, and that Nightingale had purposefully stirred trouble in the media (for instance, saying that there was a hidden video camera in “Tamarisk”).
He was asked about the newspaper article that involved undercover policeman Peter Black ( see  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/01/472708.html), but Kennedy called him Peter Blexley. It is unclear if that was an accident or not.
He said that he had told police they there was nothing being planned for the G20 and that was no need for a big presence. He said that the cops were already in riot gear when he got there, and then Ian Tomlinson died.

The questioner's response

Kennedy was told that he should move on asap, and that it's not okay for him to be going in and out of London as it could also be incredibly painful and distressing for others to bump into him. Was told that the documentary he was making would not help anyone at all. He was reminded that he had said at the beginning of the meeting that he would tell the truth and be asked anything, and that the conversation had proven both to be untrue.
He was told that whatever he said or did, he needed to know that there was no way back and no happy ending, that nobody could ever trust him again.

Fitwatch friend

Comments

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Thank you

18.02.2011 18:55

thanks for publishing this. the idea of bumping into him or any other of the undercovers unexpectedly does scare me.

spied on

indeed

18.02.2011 19:00

yes thanks, can't have been easy decision or process to talk to Nark, but it seems you handled it sensibly, lets just hope he disappears for good very soon so we can move on, and keep up the struggle, don't let these bastards grind us down!

dept

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If you haven't done anything illegal ...

18.02.2011 19:26

... you haven't got anything to worry about. Oh you have.

Why are you scared?

Ditto

18.02.2011 19:39

Thanks for reporting this. Sounds as if Kennedy is as arrogant and dishonest as ever. Hope he winds up at the bottom of the Grand Union Canal, he is absolute scum.

Ann Archy

Why

18.02.2011 21:56

Hasn't this man caused enough damage to people?

If he had the slightest respect for others he would have crawled under a stone and stayed there. Instead he seems to be prancing around bold as brass. An incredibly difficult situation for those who run into him.

Don't let the bastard grind you down, that is what ACPO, the police and Home Office want. Don't give them the satisfaction they want.

A N Other

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Are people *still* banging on about this bloke?

18.02.2011 22:19

"Kennedy was told that he should move on asap, and that it's not okay for him to be going in and out of London as it could also be incredibly painful and distressing for others to bump into him. "

Not OK?? What's he supposed to do? He's got to live somewhere. Grow up FFS.

Pie Muncher

Giving them the satisfaction?

18.02.2011 23:24

There is only one proper response to this human turd n so far he hasn't even had a sniff of it.

Jim

Kennedy’s Global Open link

19.02.2011 08:54

Heather Millgate
Heather Millgate

So of all the solicitors in the UK, Kennedy just happens to approach a non-practicing (at the time) solicitor, Heather Millgate. Coincidentally, she just happens to be a Director (and marketing manager) of Global Open Ltd which is run by former SB officers, runs infiltrators into activist groups and has/had E.ON as a client.

Kennedy supposedly approached her for advice about suing the police but instead she offers her address to set up a separate private company.

Even though Kennedy provoked the police officers who attacked him, he has good grounds to sue. So is he planning to? And is he going to use Heather Millgate as his solicitor?

(It’s interesting to note that since the Kennedy story broke, Heather Millgate has teamed up with another solicitor to launch Millgate Woodbridge. It is no longer based at Millgates’ home address -- 36 Orchard Drive, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard Beds LU7 2PL – which was also used by Kennedy.)

Anon

Names

19.02.2011 09:18

Did the bastard leave our names out of seven years of police reports?

anon

Who knows for sure if the bastard ever left London or the country..

19.02.2011 10:26

He has probably been living there all the time and its just adds to the story that he is in hiding somewhere else possibly abroad. He better hope that I don't bump into him because I can assure you it would be a meeting he would never forget the dirty scumbag.

Anarchist

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Is there more to this?

19.02.2011 11:36

I cannot help wondering if there is more to this story. What is written does not ring true. I am now sure I saw MK and the ex-friend (why not reveal youself JS) very cosy in the Britania at Euston.

I thought yo regonised me, is that why this has come out.

What the f**k is the truth J are you and the scumbag together in this

Very Concerned

concerned

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@concerned

19.02.2011 11:59

You're either an asshole or one of the police trolls here. If you think you know who it is why not ask them directly? What grounds do you have to say there is 'more to this'? Why do it publicly on Indymedia with out any specific allegations - me thinks that you are simply wanting to stir up more shit. Sort your politics out.

unnecessary

Anarchist

19.02.2011 12:11

I agree Anarchist, it should be Kennedy who worries about bumping into those he betrayed, not the other way round. As for him suing the cops, would he have any witnesses to back him up?

Black n Red

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Is there more to this

19.02.2011 12:30

Unnecessary I know who MK was 'cosy' with, what I want to know is why she has not revealed herself to the list - what does she have to hide - unless she and he have been working together all along.

Is the story bollocks - are you her putting disinformation out

Lets have some truth - Yes I am guilty as all the others for hiding my ID - why do we do this - me I am shitting myself that I watched something I shouldn't have.

Do yo want me to name her? Am I not then doing what you are accusing me of.

J - tell the real story of that meeting, cause above is not what I saw.

Still Very Concerned

Concerned

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To concerned...

19.02.2011 12:37

Likewise to the above poster, the most charitable option is that you're a cop or a shit stirrer. If the truth is you actually are someone involved in politics who knows the person that wrote the above, then you are a disruptive arsehole of the highest order.

I can't even be bothered to demolish your 'points' and 'suspicions' mentioned above as they are such a load of manufactured and meaningless speculation it would just give them credit.

Go away, stop spreading shit, and seriously examine your attitude.

Wat Tyler

Thanks

19.02.2011 12:37

Thanks for compiling and publishing this report, you have acted with courage and a sense of responsibility. Personally, I think Kennedy should be attacked on sight, but accept that not everyone may feel capable of that. Predictable that the arrogant bastard is still on his boat, and in part thanks to those who attempted to cover up its name and its very existence or claimed it was sold months ago. If they have any integrity at all they will now be actively trying to find it. If not, accusations they assisted Kennedy have to be viewed as perfectly legitimate.

ACAB

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Solidarity with activist involved

19.02.2011 12:38

@concerned - you are shit stirring in a nasty vindictive way which is helpful to no one other than the cops.

I have spoken to the activist involved who was very shaken by the incident and has had enough to deal with what's happened without adding to it by issuing statement in their name. The activist asked Fitwatch to verify the statement so individual security was protected, especially given the media frenzy over the Mark Kennedy story.

If you have accusations to make, don't do it on a public forum - talk to the person involved - posting on a public forum only makes you look like a police troll.

There are a lot of brave beautiful people who are coming to terms both with immense betrayal and intense media interest. They deserve our full support and solidarity rather than unnecessary hurtful comments.

a fitwatcher
mail e-mail: info@fitwatch.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.fitwatch.org.uk

shame it wasn't recorded!

19.02.2011 12:39

Good stuff - shame you couldn't tape it.

Next time if you get the chance, phone your own phone. It'll go to the answering machine and you'll have a record of the conversation, especially if you put it on speaker (but turn the volume right down or you'll be rumbled!)

techie

Acab

19.02.2011 12:46

Err.... nobody tried to hide the name of whereabouts of his boat, that is a myth. Stop repeating things you read on here as 'fact'.

Bob

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Also concerned

19.02.2011 12:52

I know enough about this (including who is clearly being referred to) to doubt Concerned is just making this up. While i don't share their interpretation necessarily, I think it's important the truth about this encounter is being told.

also concerned

Bob

19.02.2011 13:04

That is quite untrue Bob, I read the comments on the IMC mods list and on several threads myself - the mods archive was even edited as a result. No wonder people don't know what to believe and what not to. Stop telling iies.

ACAB

Back at ya ACAB

19.02.2011 13:12

Well, don't know who it was trying to do that, it wasn't anyone that exposed him. And not sure why anyone would bother trying to hide his boat name?

Bob

Peter Bleksley

19.02.2011 13:15

This would be the Peter Bleksley (aka Peter Black?) referred to by Mark Kennedy.......
 http://www.2020casting.com/index.php/production-home/2020-technical/peter-bleksley
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/peter-bleksley

Grant

For example

19.02.2011 13:16

 http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-uk-moderation/2011-January/0110-ho.html

ACAB

thx

19.02.2011 13:20

Thank for publishing this, better to have these bits of info than nothing.

I don't understand why the main concern sometimes seems to be fear of seeing him. Mark Kennedy should be the one afraid that there are likely people across Europe who are extremely angry at him. It seems highly possible that if he shows up in Germany, the response to his presence would likely not be so measured.

It makes me sick to hear that not only is Kennedy receiving money for the Mail article, but for sure he is making money off any documentary he is working on in London for apparently 20+ weeks.

Hat's off to all those fighting on this issue, I hope people sue the police and make the bastards pay.

anon

To ACAB

19.02.2011 13:27

OK, I stand corrected, although I don't know who asked for that to happen, and I think it was a wrong call, but it doesn't mean that they were covering or in league with him, just that they were (understandably) over sensitive and protective of his partner.

Anyway, I think we can agree that ACAB.

Solidarity, and death to the fucking pigs, even the ones we knew.

Bob

Tamarisk

19.02.2011 14:22

I'm not saying that there was any kind of alliance or conspiracy with Kennedy, but all those responsible for suppressing the details of his boat, and others who suggested (without evidence) that it was sold months ago, effectively assisted Kennedy. As per my original post, I hope they take responsibility for that, and that those who trusted their opinions have learned a lesson. Of courre, the question of why so much effort was put into hiding all mention of Kennedy's boat remains.

ACAB

...ACAB

19.02.2011 16:08

...I think that question has been just answered, both in the link and posts above. To prevent his partners identity becoming known to the press. Maybe people were overzealous and overreacted but they succeeded in protecting her from the tabloids. Since the media circus died down photos and the name of the boat have been published on here.

I also agree that the above encounter was handled well given the shock...let's hope he crawls back under his rock for good.

Those people who've been crowing for his whereabouts...you have a pretty good guess now.

Anon

yadda

19.02.2011 21:38

Hey ACAB

I'm confused - what difference would knowing about Mark's boat would have made?

Have you asked anyone involved as to why there was a reason for requesting the info be hid, or is it easier to yap about it on Indymedia?

unnecessary

The whole thing stinks...

20.02.2011 09:54

...sorry but all of this seems pretty unlikely to me.

I suspect that this is less a chance meeting and is actually something a little more contrived. From the beginning of this affair there have been individuals who think they know better than everyone else; they have been holding back information, soliciting communication with MK and doing deals with the corporate media. On the whole these activities are driven by the same narcissistic motivations as Kennedy's, and they are the actions of the stupid and arrogant.

Kennedy needs people within our movement to collaborate with him if he wants to make a successful documentary. I'm positive that some people will be working with him under the mis-apprehension that they can strike a blow against the police, the wider state and the capitalists, they are wrong. Kennedy's agenda is and always was all about him, he is deceitful and self obsessed and will shaft anybody in anyway necessary to achieve his aims.

Kennedy should know that there are plenty of people within our movement that understand their duty in these circumstances and even if he is feeling the love from some quarters he will never be forgiven or forgotten let alone rehabilitated.

I make no apologies for the tone of this post, I am sick of the pussy footing and double dealing.
I know that some people are understandably more emotionally vulnerable at the moment and this makes them easy prey for a predator like Kennedy. It should be the priority of their friends and comrades to protect them from him not to be facilitating his schemes.

Rudeboy

At Rudeboy and others...

20.02.2011 11:45

I can promise you that this meeting was totally random and just bad luck, so please don't speculate and make wrong assumptions (which are pretty serious, accusing someone you don't know of being a collaborator with no evidencer ) - it was not at all planned or contrived.

I personally don't think talking to him was the 'right' decision, but understand why they did it, and don't think it was an unforgiveable thing to do given the circumstances of the individual involved, and I support them despite thinking it was not the best course of action.

I do agree with you that there are a bunch of people within the 'movement' who are using this whole incident with Kennedy and the others as a way of pushing their liberal and reformist view of the state and media, but they are a very different gang of people to the people that exposed him, and the person that bumped into Kennedy.

They are (mainly) a load of people who have only got involved in politics (mainly Climate Camp) reasonably recently (although also some long term environmental activists mainly based in London and/or have Greenpeace connections) and are either lacking any radical politics, or who think that it's expedient to play them down for some 'strategic' goals.

Hope that the above clears some things up. Solidarity with those effected by the undercovers, and death to fucking liberal collaborators and cops!

A comrade

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Censorship

21.02.2011 19:42

Three postings that appeared on Saturday have now gone - why?

Rudeboy expresses the same sentiments as those postings.

A comrade tells us not to be worried - why

The meeting did not occur as described above - that was no chance meeting. A comrade alluses to there being Kennedy and more than one other - incorrect - just a well known female activist

Question - why fail to disclose what occurred

Answers - another agenda to which we are not party (then stoopid for posting this) - To hide what occurred that is get in first which begs the question why.

Is this person another long term undercover/commercial.

I suggest what occurred is revealed. I do not want to air our dirty laundry in public but those at Indymedia obviously know who she is so \i suggest care is taken.

Final thought - are we being manipulated by the cops, the commercials, the Guardian who the f**k knows but if cannot trust Indy to be truthful in its reports theres no chance for us.

Doomed

Worried

Kennedy was told

22.02.2011 14:36

"Kennedy was told that he should move on asap"

I think *everyone* should move on asap. Storm in a fucking tea cup.

The upshot of Kennedy's ultimately doomed involvement in activism is egg all over the face of the powers that be and a series of unsafe convictions which will be overturned in court and probably result in a load of payouts for activists.

In case that needs to be spelled out: Activists - One - The Powers That Be - Nil

If that's not a proper fucking result then I don't know what activists would consider as a victory.

"It's not okay for him to be going in and out of London"

Kennedy can go anywhere he likes, just like you or I. The UK is a free country, despite protestations that it isn't - it is.




Psychic Bob

A 'free country'?!

22.02.2011 21:53

So Kennedy can go wherever he likes can he?! Well he'd be well fucking advised not to come round to my house again!

Not full time yet

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a big hoohar about nothing

22.02.2011 22:25

Kennedy can go anywhere he likes, just like you or I. The UK is a free country, despite protestations that it isn't - it is.

So Kennedy can go wherever he likes can he?! Well he'd be well fucking advised not to come round to my house again!


Of course its a free country - and anyone who says likewise is going to answer to me.
So you don't like the guy? Big deal. What you going to do about it apart from wet your knickers?
Maybe he doesn't want to come around to your house again? How you thought about that? No you probably havnt.

Jesus, like a bunch of crying girls who've never fallen out with someone before.
I knew the left had no muscle, but looks like got no balls or upper lip either. Embarassing

axel

cab

15.03.2011 19:25

there is so much back and forth debate on IMC about Kennedy, but is anyone actually doing anything about these cops? I only hear bickering and accusations on other activists, which is basically the same as using police disruption tactics.

is anyone actually doing a campaign? is anyone making posters? organising presentations? demonstrations?

there is lots of babbling amongst activists, but what about speaking to average working class people, is anyone trying to do that?

a

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