BBC: Demo police 'spied' on magistrate
Published: 08-05-2009
Our Chairman, Richard Knox-Johnston, has appeared on BBC Radio 4's "The Report" which this week investigates the police 'snooping' on environmental groups.
Mr Knox-Johnston told the interviewer:
"I was amazed I went to a meeting... attended mostly by young people, to inform them about climate change throughout the world, and particularly about the use of coal-fired power stations in Texas,"
"I found it difficult to believe," he said. "When I got there my number plate was noted and my photograph was taken, and I couldn't understand why this was necessary, bearing in mind it was a very friendly and open meeting,"
He added that as a serving Magistrate, "I try and keep away from protests, for obvious reasons."
He wrote to the chief constable of Kent Police
"The response I got was that they were concerned about a major threat and therefore they have to take all necessary action with intelligence both around the meetings and the climate change camp itself."
He said he was unhappy with their response, and added: "I think the whole camp was very over-policed."
The incident, and similar like it, have prompted concerns about how much the police are collecting and storing data on our members who are undertaking legitimate debates on major planning issues affecting the county.
