[IER] An easy guide to the Undercover Policing (SpyCops) Inquiry

Tue Nov 24 17:28:18 GMT 2020

News brief - 24/11/20                                                                              <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=cbcf87ecdc> View this email in your browser 

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An easy guide to the Undercover Policing (SpyCops) Inquiry 

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The Institute of Employment Rights today launches a new resource - our  <https://www.ier.org.uk/an-easy-guide-to-the-undercover-policing-spycops-inquiry/> Easy Guide to the Undercover Policing (SpyCops) Inquiry (UCPI).

The UCPI began taking evidence this month, five years after it was launched. Its objective is to uncover the extent of improper conduct by secret service agents in surveiling lawful British citizens and interfering in their democratic rights. Conspiracies against left-wing groups, including trade unions, are known to have taken place throughout most of the 20th Century, starting in 1919 with the establishment of the Economic League and continuing until at least 2009 when the Information Commissioners' Office (ICO) discovered a blacklist of thousands of construction workers at the offices of The Consulting Association.

In question is the extent to which secret service officers infiltrated trade unions and other left-wing campaign groups, and what became of the information they gathered. It was discovered a decade ago that undercover officers engaged in long-term relationships with female activists on the left, sometimes even fathering children. To what extent this occurred within the trade union movement is currently unknown. 

The UCPI will be listening to evidence from a wide range of sources, but the IER's resource concentrates specifically on that from the labour movement to collate a more focused repository.

Our experts, too, will provide analysis, starting with a piece by  <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/the-bill-that-will-give-mi5-carte-blanche-to-spy-on-trade-unions/> Dr Andrew Moretta and Professor Keith Ewing on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament. The Bill legitimises criminal activity by an extraordinary range of public authorities in pursuit of an extraordinary range of targets. Trade unions will not be excluded and the government has voted down safeguards against abuse. The spies, meanwhile, need not justify their actions as being in the interests of national security, as the CHIS Bill states they may act in the interests of "economic wellbeing" alone.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/an-easy-guide-to-the-undercover-policing-spycops-inquiry/> Read more 

WATCH: Free new resources from the IER

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WATCH: Challenging racism at work: Part 1

Tony Conway of Coventry Against Racism; Manoj Dias-Abey of the University of Bristol, and Patrick Roache of NASUWT discuss racist immigration laws and their impact on workers.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/challenging-racism-at-work-part-1/> Watch now 

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WATCH: Redistribution of working time and wealth

Ian Waddell of CSEU, Anna Coote of NEF and Andy McDonald, Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights, make the case for shorter working time.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/redistribution-of-working-time-and-wealth/> Watch now 

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WATCH: Access to justice

Giulia Rocco of IWGB, IER Chair, Lord John Hendy QC, and Shantha David of UNISON discuss how strategic legal challenges can push back on attacks to access to justice.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/redistribution-of-working-time-and-wealth/> Watch now 

In the news

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Bill launched to ban exploitative fire and rehire practices

The Employment (Dismissal and Re-employment) Bill has been read in the Commons, but it is unlikely to get government support. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/bill-launched-to-ban-exploitative-fire-and-rehire-practices/> Read full report 

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IWGB wins health and safety protections for precarious workers

In a judicial review brought by the IWGB, the High Court has ruled that insecure workers have a right to health and safety protections, including PPE. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/iwgb-wins-health-and-safety-protections-for-precarious-workers/> Read full report 

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Frontline workers should have Covid vaccine priority, unions say

Unions have called for non-healthcare key workers to be added to the list of people prioritised for vaccination against Covid-19. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/frontline-workers-should-have-covid-vaccine-priority-unions-say/> Read full report 

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Patel “bullied” staff, inquiry concludes

Inquriy head, Sir Alex Allan, has resigned from his post after Boris Johnson refused to act against the Home Secretary. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/patel-bullied-staff-inquiry-concludes/> Read full report 

Expert comment

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COMMENT: The Bill that gives MI5 carte blanche to spy on trade unions

Dr Andrew Moretta and Professor Keith Ewing warn the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill not only allows but potentially encourages MI5 to spy on lawful citizens. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/the-bill-that-will-give-mi5-carte-blanche-to-spy-on-trade-unions/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: How Scottish miners won justice while English miners are ignored

Professor Jim Phillips says devolution afforded Scottish miners the opportunity to have their cases heard and their stories acted upon. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/how-scottish-miners-won-justice-while-english-miners-are-ignored/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: Being respectable doesn’t mean that the Hostile Environment won’t get you

Tony Conway warns the hostile environment puts anyone who is not white or who cannot prove they were born in the UK in danger. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/being-respectable-doesnt-mean-that-the-hostile-environment-wont-get-you/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: “I now pronounce you contractor”: Prop22, labour platforms and legislative doublespeak

Valerio de Stefano reports that gig work platforms have successfully lobbied to bend the law in the US, sounding a warning toll to European workers, who may be targeted next.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/i-now-pronounce-you-contractor-prop22-labour-platforms-and-legislative-doublespeak/> Read full report 

BOOK NOW: Employment Law Update 2020

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Employment Law Update 2020: Part 1

24th November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Leading lawyers and campaigners take a closer look at some of the dirtiest tactics of the pandemic, including fire and rehire, redundancies, and health and safety . 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2020-webinar-part-1/> Register your place 

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Employment Law Update 2020: Part 2

26th November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Leading lawyers, academics and campaigners update delegates as to the most significant cases going through the tribunal system and their wider impact on the protection of workers. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2020-webinar-part-2/> Register your place 

IER and Covid-19

Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.

IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.

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