Police 'pay protester informers'
originally published: 25th April 2009
Police are using hundreds of paid informants inside protest groups to “feed them intelligence”, according to evidence handed to the Guardian.
The paper says it has obtained tapes of discussions between men claiming to be undercover officers from Strathclyde Police and a Plane Stupid activist. The recordings appear to show money being offered for information. Strathclyde Police said officers had spoken to the group and the force had a responsibility to gather evidence.
The Guardian says the recordings were made during meetings between Strathclyde Police and Matilda Gifford, an activist with environmental protest group Plane Stupid, which campaigns against airport expansion.
The taped evidence appears to show her being offered money to reveal information about the organisation’s members and tactics. An indication was given that tens of thousands of pounds had been paid to other informers in the past. Miss Gifford’s student loans were also discussed.
