§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the instructions given to PC John Fordham as to the extent to which he was to conceal his identity when involved in an undercover operation at the home of Mr. Kenneth Noye; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the general instructions given to officers in surveillance units as to the extent to which they are to disclose their identity if challenged when involved in undercover operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe comissioner considers that the disclosure of operational instructions given to officers engaged in such duties would be to place them at unjustifiable risk and impair their operational effectiveness. All officers undertaking such operations are, however, subject to the same legal requirements as police officers generally. The instructions given to PC John Fordham conformed to these principles.