Overview
This documents at this page are material relating to the Home Office as disclosed by the Undercover Policing Inquiry
Reports
Date
Originator
MPS-UCPI
Title
Hansard
UCPI0000034269
Definition of subversion given in Parliament by Home Secretary Douglas Hurd, 15 Dec 1988
Hansard
UCPI0000034270
Home Secretary Douglas Hurd in Parliament reiterating Lord Harris' 1975 definition of subversion and reference to its endorsement by ex Home Secretary Merlyn Rees, 15 Dec 1988
Home Office
UCPI0000035086
Home Office internal letter concerning Home Secretary’s appearance at Home Affairs Select Committee, inc correspondence between John Prescott MP and the Home Secretary on the remit of Special Branches esp re trade unions (attached)
The Times
UCPI0000034268
Definition of subversion given by Home Secretary Leon Brittan, quoted in The Times article 'Brittan Defends Special Branch Right to Spy on Strikers', 29 Jan 1985
ACPO
UCPI0000004673
Telex message from Oxford (ACPO) to Harrington (HO) warning not to speak to media about the new Home Office Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004584
Letter from Home Office to Chief Officer enclosing guidelines on the work of a Special Branch, drawn up by the Home Office in consultation with ACPO and the Security Service
Home Office
UCPI0000004621
Home Office letter to clerk of Home Affairs Select Committee enclosing the new Guidelines for Special Branches (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004539
Home Office internal letter enclosing a draft of letter to clerk of the Home Affairs Select Committee to enclose Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004672
Minutes of Home Office, police and MI5 meeting planning for evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004627
Internal Home Office letter expressing Home Secretary's approval of distribution of the new Guidelines for Special Branches
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary
UCPI0000035088
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary letter to Sir Brian Cubbon (HO) on the accountability of Special Branches to MI5
Home Office
UCPI0000004412
Home Office letter on timing of publication of Guidelines for Special Branches in relation to Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry
Home Office
UCPI0000035089
Internal Home Office letter from Sir Brian Cubbon to Harrington raising a question about the accountability of Special Branch to MI5
Home Office
UCPI0000004540
Home Office letter to the Public Relations Branch enclosing drafts of the Guidelines for Special Branches and Surveillance and what to say to the press (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004541
Internal Home Office letter circulating new Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004542
Home Office letter to Buck (ACPO) noting ammendments made to draft Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000035129
Internal Home Office letter concerning the Home Affairs Select Committee enquiry into Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004678
Home Office letter to Ken Oxford (ACPO) on revised Guidelines for Special Branches and Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry
Home Office
UCPI0000004415
Updated draft copy of Home Office Guidelines on the Work of a Special Branch and covering letter to Chief Constables
ACPO
UCPI0000004637
Letter from Imbert (ACPO) to the Home Office suggesting further changes to the Guidelines for Special Branches
ACPO
UCPI0000004638
Letter from Buck (ACPO) to Harrington (HO) enclosing ACPO's suggested changes to the draft Guidelines for Special Branches (attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004641
Letter from the Home Office to SHHD explaining changes to Guidelines for Special Branches and enclosing revised version of the covering letter to chief constables (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004639
Home Office letter to Ken Oxford (ACPO) enclosing revised version of the Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000035284
Revised draft of Special Branch guidelines issued by Home Office for ACPO comment
Home Office
UCPI0000035294
Finalised draft of Home Office cover letter to Chief Constables about the new guidelines for Special Branches
Scottish Home and Health Department (SHHD)
UCPI0000004644
Scottish Home and Health Department letter to Home Office commenting on the new Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004645
Note of a Home Office, police and MI5 meeting to discuss and amend Guidelines for Special Branches and Surveillance
Home Office
UCPI0000004648
Home Office letter to Ken Oxford (ACPO) attaching revised draft of Guidelines for Special Branches
MI5
UCPI0000004651
MI5 letter to Home Office suggesting revised text for Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000035090
Internal Home Office letter enclosing note on timing of completion of new Guidelines for Special Branches, and how to avoid publication (attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004653
Internal Home Office letter on circulating new draft Guidelines for Special Branches for comment
Home Office
UCPI0000004654
Internal Home Office letter enclosing revised drafts of the Guidelines for Special Branches (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035293
Draft of new Terms of Reference for Special Branches, and cover letter to Chief Constables
Home Office
UCPI0000004434
Home Office letter on the timetable for the review of Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004455
Home Office letter circulating correspondence and meeting minutes related to the Working Party of the Police Panel of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities examining the role of Special Branches (attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004659
Notes of meeting of Home Office, police and MI5 to discuss new Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004660
Home Office letter to Chief Constable of West Midlands Police submitting draft Guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004658
Notes of a Home Office, police, MI5 and ACPO meeting to revise Guidelines for Special Branches, held at Home Office on 30 Oct 1983, inc annexes of revised draft and cover letter (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004666
HMIC letter to HMCIC expressing reservations about publishing the Special Branch Terms of Reference
ACPO
UCPI0000004667
Letter from Ken Oxford (ACPO Chair) to Home Office enclosing recent Police Authority resolution on Special Branches (attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004416
Home Office correspondence between Pilling and Phillips on new Guidelines for Running a Special Branch
Home Office
UCPI0000004417
Home Office letter to Chief Constable Ken Oxford enclosing draft version of Home Office guidelines for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004631
Home Office internal letter to JG Pilling enclosing draft Revised Terms of Reference for Special Branches (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035286
Home Office draft updated Terms of Reference for Special Branches, inc confidential annexes (attached)
Metropolitan Police Service
UCPI0000004632
Letter from DAC Hewett to JG Pilling (HO) enclosing existing Special Branch Terms of Reference ahead of Home Office discussion paper (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004431
Home Office letter to MI5, attaching HO letter to ACPO on restarting review of the Special Branch Terms of Reference (attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035094
Note of Home Office discussing restarting the review of Special Branch Terms of Reference
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
UCPI0000035157
Special Branch cover letter to Home Office enclosing assessment of London CND blockade of US Air Force base in Upper Heyford 31 May-3 June 1983 (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004821
Home Office letter to Chief Constable Kenneth Oxford on the definition of subversion, inc speeches by Lord Harris and Leon Brittan (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035095
Home Office letter to Sir Brian Cubbon on restarting the review of the Special Branch Terms of Reference
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748422
Correspondance between senior officers about the report ''Political Extremism and the Campaign for Police Accountability within the Metropolitan Police District' and countering such monitoring groups, inc minute sheet
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0737347
Minute sheet from file regarding continuation of the SDS from 1982 to 1986
MI5
UCPI0000035299
MI5 cover letter to Phillips (Home Office) submitting appendices to MI5 report ‘Subversive Aspects of Racialist Activity’ (attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035296
Letter from Sir Brian Cubbon (Home Office) to the Home Secretary submitting MI5 paper on ‘Subversive Aspects of Racialist Activity’ (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035297
Home Office letter on upcoming meeting between the Home Secretary and Director General of MI5 enclosing copy of MI5 report ‘Subversive Aspects of Racialist Activity’
MI5
UCPI0000035300
MI5 letter to Home Office enclosing MI5 draft report ‘Subversive Aspects of Racialist Activity’ (attached)
MI5
UCPI0000035152
MI5 report for the Home Secretary, ‘Subversive Involvement in the Brixton Riots and their Aftermath’ with cover letter from Phillips (Home Office) (report attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000004427
Home Office F4 paper on the review of the work of Special Branches, with internal cover letter
Home Office
UCPI0000004714
Letter from Drew to Phillips (both Home Office) submitting a draft submission on Special Branch Terms of Reference (not attached)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0733126
Large collection of police and Home Office documents in advance of a Friends of Blair Peach Committee demo to be held on 27 April 1980
Home Office
UCPI0000004715
Home Office document seeking views on an examination of the terms of reference for Special Branch, seemingly an expansion of remit
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
UCPI0000034701
Draft revision to the Terms of Reference for a Special Branch (Annex B to UCPI0000004437)
Home Office
UCPI0000035107
Letter from Philips to Heaton (both Home Office) on the definition of subversion
MI5
UCPI0000004426
MI5 letter to Heaton (Home Office) advising against redrafting Terms of Reference for a Special Branch
Home Office
UCPI0000004716
Letter from Heaton (Home Office) to MI5 enclosing a draft copy of Terms of Reference for Special Branches (not attached)
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary
UCPI0000035108
Letter from HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary to Hayden Phillips (Home Office) advising against publication of a document on Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004718
Letter from Hayden Phillips (Home Office) to DAC Bryan on whether to update guidance for Special Branches and more detailed info on them, inc draft public document (not attached)
Home Office
UCPI0000035111
Home Office letter objecting to the 'Report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for the Year 1978' implying the Home Secretary has control of Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004719
Home Office letter on altering 'Terms of Reference' for Special Branches
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0731858
Minute sheet that accompanied Annual Report 1979 on continuation of the Squad from 1979 to 1982, inc affirmation from DAC Bob Bryan
Home Office
UCPI0000035290
Home Office letter to MI5 on describing their work with police in the new terms of reference for Special Branches
MI5
UCPI0000035289
Note of MI5 meeting to discuss Terms of Reference for Special Branch, held on 7 Dec 1978
MI5
UCPI0000034697
Letter from MI5 to the Home Office providing a copy of a 1974 circular to Chief Constables on subversive activities in industrial disputes and a 1975 circular on subversive activities in schools (not attached)
MI5
UCPI0000004720
Letter from MI5 to Sir Robert Armstrong (HO) on possible revision of Terms of Reference for Special Branches
Home Office
UCPI0000004721
Letter to F4 notng documents relevant to the review of the work of Special Branches
Home Office
MPS-0730688
Letter from Home Office to Assistant Commissioner authorising the continuation of the SDS in 1978/79
Metropolitan Police Service
MPS-0730689
Letter from Assistant Commissioner to Home Office seeking authority for continuation of the SDS in 1978/79
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
UCPI0000035336
Interim report on upcoming ‘Day of Reckoning’ picket at Grunwick to be held on 7 Nov 1977, inc cover letter to Home Office (attached)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748272
Letter to Home Office enclosing report on the 'Battle of Lewisham' demo on 13 Aug 1977 (not attached)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748284
Cover letter to Home Office enclosing reports on upcoming National Front demo in Lewisham on 13 Aug 1977 (not attached)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035334
Minutes of a meeting of the Interdepartmental Group on Subversion in Public Life discussing MI5 report 'The Threat of Subversion in the UK', held at Cabinet Office on 11 July 1977 (CAB 163-269)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748278
Minute Sheet on Aug 1977 National Front demo in Lewisham
Home Office
MPS-0730718
Letter from Home Office to New Scotland Yard authorising continuation of the SDS in 1977/78 and approving its budget
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730719
Letter from Jock Wilson (Asst Commissioner (Crime) to Robert Armstrong at the Home Office seeking formal approval for continuation of the SDS
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
UCPI0000035329
Meeting minutes of reconstituted Inter-Departmental Group on Subversion in Public Life, held at Cabinet Office on 10 Nov 1976 (CAB 163-269)
Home Office
UCPI0000035328
Home Office letter to Cabinet Secretary on police representation in the Subversion in Public Life Group
Group on Subversion in Public Life
UCPI0000035243
Revised Composition and Terms of Reference for the Interdepartmental Group on Subversion in Public Life, 1976 (CAB 301-489)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035246
Note of a meeting held to discuss the threat of subversion in the UK and reactivation of the interdepartmental Group on Subversion in Public Life (CAB 301-489)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0728980
SDS Annual Report 1976, inc letter from Assistant Commissioner to Home Office
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0735761
Letter to the Home Office providing a copy of a memorandum agreement improving liaison between MI5 and Special Branch (not attached)
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730658
Memo from Rodger to Ch. Supt. 'S' Squad requesting set up of group to assess the continuing need for SDS, breadth of coverage and dissemination of intelligence
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS_0735757
Special Branch response to draft paper on “Guidelines for the Police in connection with Enquiries at Government Departments and Others” about Security Service passing info on government employees to the relevant departments
Home Office
MPS-0730676
Letter from Home Office to Assistant Commissioner authorising continuation of SDS in 1975/76
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730687
Minute sheet on the continuation of the SDS from 1975 to 1978, discussions between SDS and ACC
MI5
MPS_0735755
Draft Security Service paper on 'Guidelines for the Police in connection with Enquiries at Government Departments and Others' about MI5 passing info on government employees to their departments
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0724139
Memo from Kneale to Commander Ops asking for next instalment of funds
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0724147
Memo from Rodger concerning documents shown during audit of SDS accounts
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UCPI0000035242
Report on history and function of the government's Information Research Department to counter subversion, inc covering letter from Foreign Office to Home Office (CAB 301-488)
Home Office
UCPI0000035100
Follow-up letter to James Waddell (Home Office) on the Home Secretary meeting backbench MPs discussing Special Branch targeting of industrial matters and trade unions
Home Office
UCPI0000035101
Letter to James Waddell (Home Office) on the Home Secretary meeting backbench MPs discussing Special Branch targeting of industrial matters and trade unions
Home Office
UCPI0000035102
Letter from James Waddell (Home Office) to the Home Secretary on dealing with allegations of Special Branch infiltrating trade unions, and SB's relationship with MI5
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0724122
Memo from Brice to Commander Operations on SDS expenditure figures for 1974
Home Office
MPS-0724156
Letter from AS Baker Home Office to Assistant Commissioner Colin Woods authorising continuation of SDS in 1974/75
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035259
Cabinet Office letter to Home Office recommending suspension of government groups handling industrial intelligence due to incoming Labour government (CAB 301-491)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035264
Cabinet Secretary letter to Prime Minister detailing Ministerial meeting to be held on industrial intelligence and subversion (CAB 301-491)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035251
Letter to ministries on Prime Minister’s approval of new Home Office system to disseminate intelligence on trade unions and subversion (CAB 301-490-1)
Home Office
UCPI0000035266
Home Office letter to Cabinet Secretary on Group on Subversion in Public Life's paper on the NUM and suggesting circulation to Ministers (CAB 301-491)
MI5
UCPI0000031254
MI5 Loose Minute submitting Special Branch report on industrial matters and detailing concerns regarding Special Branch coverage of 'Industrial Subversion' (report wholly redacted, only MI5's scathing response)
Group on Subversion in Public Life
UCPI0000035269
Composition and Terms of Reference for the Interdepartmental Group on Subversion in Public Life, 1972 (CAB 301-492)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035268
Letter from Cabinet Secretary Home Office on terms of reference and structure of the new Group on Subversion in Public Life (CAB 301-492)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035271
Home Office letter to Cabinet Secretary recommending increasing co-ordination and assessing intelligence about subversion in industrial disputes (CAB 301-492)
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035253
Cabinet Secretary letter to Prime Minister about meeting to discuss expanding the remit of MI5 re subversion (CAB 301-490-1)
Home Office
MPS-0724177
Home Office letter, Waddell replying to Brodie authorising continued expenditure on accommodation
Home Office
MPS-0724130
Home Office letter to Commissioner authorising expenditure on accomodation
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0724132
Letter from Brodie to Waddell (HO) concerning SDS expenditure
Committee on Subversion (Home)
UCPI0000035274
Briefing note for Cabinet Secretary aheaf of meeting of the Official Committee on Subversion at Home (CAB 301-536)
Home Office
UCPI0000004459
Home Office ’Terms of Reference’ guidelines for Special Branches, agreed by ACPO, April 1970
Home Office
MPS-0724109
Home Office letter from David Stotesbury to Peter Brodie about expenditure on accommodation
Home Office
MPS-0727104
Home Office Circular 97/1969 on Informants Who Take Part in Crime, asserting primary need to avoid misleading a court
Home Office
UCPI0000035105
Letter to Chief Constables from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary requesting info on the function of Special Branches
Cabinet Office
UCPI0000035230
Minutes of a meeting of the Official Committee on Subversion at Home discussing MI5 note on ‘Subversion in the United Kingdom’ (CAB 134-3248)
Committee on Subversion (Home)
UCPI0000035225
Composition and Terms of Reference for the Official Committee on Subversion at Home (CAB 134-3248)
Home Office
MPS-0724116
Home Office letter from James Waddell to Peter Brodie concerning expenditure on accommodation
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0724117
Memo from Ferguson Smith on meeting with Home Office where long-term viability of SDS discussed
Ministry of Defence
MPS-0748324
Ministry of Defence letter to Home Secretary on potential troop involvement in Oct 1968 Vietnam War demo and future demos
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0742196
Minutes of meeting between Home Office, the Met and MI5 to discuss Oct 27 Vietnam march, held at Leconfield House on 20 Sept 1968
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0748325
Letters from Special Branch Ministry of Public Building and Works (copied to Home Office) about Vietnam Solidarity Campaign's request to hold a demo in Trafalgar Square on 26 Oct 1968
Metropolitan Police Special Branch
MPS-0730060
File documents on meeting between the police, Home Office and MI5 to discuss policy on demos ahead of Oct 1968 Vietnam demo
Home Office
UCPI0000035120
Home Office Minute Sheet regarding review of possible overlap between Special Branch and MI5
MI5
UCPI0000035121
Letter from MI5 to RA James (Home Office) on review of possible overlap between Special Branch and MI5, inc briefing notes
Home Office
UCPI0000034284
Notes on a meeting of Home Office, MI5 and Special Branch about their related roles, held at the Home Office on 13 Nov 1967
Home Office
UCPI0000035124
Draft Letter to Commissioner Sir Joseph Simpson about the possibility of overlap between Special Branch and MI5
Home Office
UCPI0000034262
‘The Directive to the Director General of the Security Service’, 1952 Home Office document describing duties of MI5