ACPO and The Met in the dock
for John Catt | 24.01.2012 16:56 | Anti-militarism | Policing | Repression
John Catt, who says "Put an end to the 'Big Brother' police state."
He particularly became the focus of police surveillance for regularly protesting against American multinational arms manufacturer, EDO/ITT in Brighton. John only discovered that this data was being held about him after repeated requests under the Data Protection Act.
The 'domestic extremist' database is run by the discredited National Public Order Intelligence Unit(NPOIU), under the command of ACPO and/or the Metropolitan Police. It was this same unit which employed under-cover police spy, Mark Kennedy, to infiltrate environmental groups for several years. It also spent £3 million of public money on spy cameras targeting Muslims in Birmingham. They provoked such an outcry that they had to be withdrawn.
John Catt is challenging the legality of the database under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to private life), the Data Protection Act 1998 (breach of legislation on personal and sensitive personal data) and on the basis that it is irrational. He is calling for the destruction of the data held about him. If successful, the case could have far reaching consequences for 'Big Brother' State surveillance and intelligence gathering of protesters and dissidents.
This will be a very interesting hearing about civil liberties. Please attend and watch and the Met and ACPO be put under the spotlight as they try and wriggle out of their web of deceit, confusion and lack of accountability.
PREVIOUS REPORTS ON THE NEWSWIRE
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/05/478744.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/05/478694.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/07/454719.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/05/430975.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/05/430880.html
AND ELSEWHERE
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/25/peace-campaigner-classified-domestic-extremist
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/may/03/protester-sue-police-secret-surveillance
for John Catt