Undercover Policing Inquiry

Ongoing
Chair Sir John Mitting Judge / Judiciary
Established 16 Jul 2015

Statutory inquiry examining undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces since 1968, focusing on the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU). Tranche 1 interim report published 29 June 2023 (covering 1968–1982). Tranche 3 Phase 2 hearings started 2 February 2026. Final report not expected before 2028.

10 years, 8 months Duration (ongoing)
£120.6m Total Cost
112 Hearing Days
249 Core Participants
333 Statements
7,634 Documents
1 debate 20 questions 2 statements since May 2016
Early Day Motion Disclosure of Special Branch files
John McDonnell (Independent)
11 Nov 2024
Written Ministerial Statement Undercover Policing Inquiry: Tranche 1 Interim Report
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative)
29 Jun 2023
Written Ministerial Statement Undercover Policing Inquiry: Tranche 1 Interim Report
Suella Braverman (Conservative)
29 Jun 2023
Written Question Police: Surveillance
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party)
28 Nov 2022
Written Question Peers: Surveillance
Lord Balfe (Conservative)
08 Jun 2021
View all 26 mentions →
12 Mar 2015
Inquiry Announced

Home Secretary Theresa May announced a public inquiry into undercover policing.

28 Jul 2015
Chair Appointed

Lord Justice Pitchford appointed as Chair.

28 Jul 2015
Terms of Reference Set

Inquiry to examine undercover police operations by the SDS and NPOIU.

Source
03 Aug 2017
New Chair Appointed

Sir John Mitting appointed as Chair following Lord Justice Pitchford's death.

05 Nov 2018
Preliminary Hearings Begin

First substantive preliminary hearings held.

02 Nov 2020
Tranche 1 Hearings Begin

Evidence hearings commence examining deployments from 1968-1982.

Source
29 Jun 2023
Tranche 1 Interim Report

Interim report published on Tranche 1 Phase 1 (1968-1982).

Source
01 Jul 2024
Tranche 2 Phase 1 Hearings

Evidence hearings for Tranche 2 Phase 1 ran July-August 2024.

14 Oct 2024
Tranche 2 Phase 2 Hearings

Tranche 2 Phase 2 hearings began October 2024, running to February 2025.

13 Oct 2025
Tranche 3 Phase 1 Hearings

Tranche 3 hearings examining SDS deployments 1993-2007, running October-December 2025.

Source
01 Jan 2026
Final Report Expected 2026

The Inquiry aims to publish its final report in 2026.

Total Inquiry Cost (Cumulative) £120,557,300
Cost Breakdown (to Sep 2025)
Inquiry Legal Costs £55,726,200 Panel remuneration & Counsel to the Inquiry
Core Participant Legal Costs £19,732,100 Legal funding for core participants
Staff £25,988,100
Other £19,110,900
Inquiry established 2015, ongoing. Chaired by Sir John Mitting since 2017. Investigating undercover police operations since 1968, primarily the Metropolitan Police Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU). Tranche 1 interim report published June 2023 (cost ~£64m at that point). Funded by Home Office. Figures rounded to nearest £100 per UCPI methodology.