The officer used the dead brother's identity as the basis of his fake persona while he spent three years spying on leftwing campaigners.
Frank Bennett told a public inquiry yesterday that he and his sister Honor Robson were horrified and disgusted after they found out that the identity of their brother had been used in such an "underhanded" way.
Michael Hartley died in 1968 when he disappeared from a trawler. His body was never found.
Bennett said his mother's grief at the death of her son had caused her to kill herself in 1977. "Michael was so precious to her, and the loss of him destroyed her life." Bennett gave evidence at the judge-led public inquiry that is scrutinising the conduct of about 139 undercover officers who spied on more than 1,000 political groups between 1968 and at least 2010.
One of the issues that is being examined is how officers routinely stole the identities of children. Before they started their infiltration, the spies trawled through birth and death certificates to find a suitable match.
This story is from the July 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Prendergast plays hero in Ireland's historic triumph
Ireland secured their first Twenty20 win against England yesterday, completing a record run chase off the penultimate ball after Mady Villiers attempted to force a run-out, missed the stumps and allowed the two Irish batters to run an overthrow.
British hopes end with double defeat to Canada
Dan Evans and Jack Draper fall to straight-sets losses in front of record home crowd.
Set-piece killer Jover part of mania for detail that separates the Gunners from Tottenham
Yes, well, of course that was going to happen. Ange Postecoglou has a particular manner on the touchline, a way of standing in the same spot for long periods of time, fists bunched in his pockets, a little hangdog and sad, like a long-suffering dad at sports day.
Explainer What the charges against City mean
As an independent commission prepares to assess the 115 charges, here is everything you need to know
Barnes' blast sinks stumbling Wolves as Howe calls for 'unity'
If there is a civil war raging in the background, it seems to be suiting Newcastle very well.
Piastri edges Baku battle as Norris closes on Verstappen
Engrossing and impossibly tense, Formula One might consider itself flattered if the final third of this season delivers with the same compelling drama as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In the running Coe faces almighty fight to become IOC president - but write him off at your peril
While most Britons were demolishing the last of the Christmas turkey in 1979, Sebastian Coe ran 14.4 miles up the Derwent Valley, defying everything that nature and the elements dared to throw at him.
Airport expansion Operators hope plans will fly with pro-growth Labour
The younger, tormented minister considering his position before the Labour government granted Heathrow's third runway in 2009 might have been greatly relieved to know that, 15 years later, not a shovel would have touched the ground.
England's north-south gap in rents shrinks to 11-year low
The gap in rents paid by those in the north and south of England has closed to its lowest level in at least 11 years, figures show.
Fight drown as epic’ floods sweep central and eastern Europe
Eight people have drowned in Austria, Poland and Romania with four others reported missing in the Czech Republic as Storm Boris continues to lash central and eastern Europe, bringing torrential rain and floods that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
