Police 'Invaded Privacy' by Spying on Jean Charles de Menezes Justice Campaign
The cousin of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was fatally shot by police in 2005 after being mistaken for a terror suspect, has testified that undercover officers "invaded my privacy" by spying on her campaign for justice. Patricia da Silva told the long-running undercover policing inquiry that the Metropolitan Police's actions were "invasive and unnecessary," expressing deep emotional distress over the surveillance.
Background of the Tragic Incident
Jean Charles de Menezes, a 27-year-old Brazilian electrician, was killed at Stockwell Tube station in London on July 22, 2005, just two weeks after the 7/7 terror attacks. Da Silva was sharing a flat with him in south London at the time. She recounted to the inquiry how she felt "anger and pain" over police lies and misinformation spread after the shooting, including false claims that her cousin was acting suspiciously and had jumped a barrier.
Mr. de Menezes was shot seven times in the head after police mistakenly identified him as a suspect in the failed July 21, 2005, bombings. This misidentification occurred when police found an address written on a gym membership in one of the unexploded bags used by the bombers. Da Silva suggested that racism influenced the investigation, noting that police compared her cousin to the terrorist they were seeking.
Surveillance of the Justice Campaign
Da Silva became tearful as she recalled establishing the Justice for Jean campaign, which she later discovered had its own Special Branch reference number, indicating it was under police surveillance. The inquiry revealed that multiple undercover officers spied on supporters and the campaign, with one officer filing a report on a public meeting where da Silva spoke. The same officer even posted supportive messages on an online forum using the alias Boogie Boy.
"I feel it's strange, invasive and unnecessary," da Silva said during her testimony, assisted by a Portuguese interpreter. "I feel like they invaded my privacy." She expressed shock that her family and campaign were targeted by espionage from the same authorities involved in the shooting.
Broader Context of the Undercover Policing Inquiry
The undercover policing inquiry, launched in 2015 after a series of accusations against covert officers, has already cost over £100 million. It has examined misconduct by units such as the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit, including cases where officers deceived women into sexual relationships, used identities of dead children, and spied on family justice campaigns like Justice for Jean and the Stephen Lawrence campaign.
Da Silva expressed sorrow for her family and others affected, stating, "I'm very sorry this happened to us and not only our family but the other families as well." No officers were ever prosecuted for Mr. de Menezes's killing, though the Metropolitan Police was fined £175,000 for health and safety breaches.
Apology and Ongoing Proceedings
In October of the previous year, da Silva received an apology from the Met regarding the spying, in a letter from Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell. The letter acknowledged "the profound distress caused by the actions of the SDS" and the lasting impact on her family. However, it noted that due to pending evidence, a full personal apology was considered premature at that stage.
The commissioner emphasized a commitment to ensuring apologies are heartfelt and based on accurate facts. This case highlights ongoing concerns about police accountability and the ethical boundaries of undercover operations in the UK.
