Safety of convictions of 29 Bindmans’ clients called into question as a result of activities of undercover police officer

Date: 3 July 2012

Further irregularities in the prosecution handling of undercover police has led to the convictions of campaigners against climate change being called into question.

Bindmans partner Mike Schwarz said:

"This development is serious and long overdue. I first wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service about this issue almost 16 months ago. It is another case where a miscarriage of justice has come to light through a combination of luck and endeavour by campaigners. One is bound to ask - how many other miscarriages are out there?

The police and CPS's response to long running and serious concerns about undercover police and disclosure failures by the prosecution has been inadequate from the start.  This is no time for piecemail, internal or covert self-reviews by the police and Crown Prosecution Service

Please click on the links below for the related press coverage:

Mark Kennedy controversy: activists invited to challenge convictions (The Guardian, 3 July 2012)

Keir Starmer QC invites Drax power station protesters to appeal (BBC News, 3 July 2012)

Power station protesters invited to appeal convictions (ITV News, 3 July 2012)

Covert police operations will be disclosed to defence lawyers in future after Drax Power Station protesters case (The Independent, 3 July 2012)