David Heaton (Home Office)

article

documents

Overview

David Heaton worked for the colonial service in Ghana, then joined the British civil service, working in the Cabinet Office and later the Home Office.

He was secretary of the Official Committee on Communism (Home), of the Working Group on Countermeasures and of the Official Committee on Subversion at Home and, by the time he retired in 1983, was assistant undersecretary of state in the Home Office.

Heaton’s name appears in correspondence published by the Inquiry regarding the SDS between 1968 and 1984, which along with other material can be found in the document tab.

Reports

Date

Originator

MPS-UCPI

Title

17 Oct 1967

MI5

UCPI0000035236

MI5 paper ‘Subversion in the United Kingdom – Autumn 1967’ and note from the Secretary of the Official Committee on Communism (Home) (CAB 301-509)

10 May 1968

MI5

UCPI0000035235

MI5 paper ‘Subversion in the United Kingdom – Spring 1968’ with cover note by Secretary of the Official Committee on Communism (Home) (CAB 301-509)

27 May 1968

MI5

UCPI0000035234

MI5 paper ‘Subversive Influences on Student Protest’ with cover note from Cabinet Office (CAB 301-509)

25 Jul 1968

Committee on Subversion (Home)

UCPI0000035232

Minutes of a meeting of the Official Committee on Communism (Home) discussing student protest, 24 July 1968 (CAB 301-509)

16 Aug 1968

Committee on Subversion (Home)

UCPI0000035233

Minutes of a meeting of the Official Committee on Communism (Home) discussing student protest and how to disrupt and counter-propagandise it (CAB 301-509)

7 Jan 1969

Committee on Subversion (Home)

UCPI0000035225

Composition and Terms of Reference for the Official Committee on Subversion at Home (CAB 134-3248)

23 Jan 1969

MI5

UCPI0000035229

MI5 note on ‘Subversion in the UK’, with cover note from Secretary of the Official Committee on Subversion at Home (CAB 134-3248)

29 Jan 1969

Home Office

UCPI0000035273

Briefing note for Cabinet Secretary ahead of first meeting of the Official Committee on Subversion at Home since its broader remit (CAB 301-536)

3 Feb 1969

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)

11 Apr 1978

Home Office

MPS-0730688

Letter from Home Office to Assistant Commissioner authorising the continuation of the SDS in 1978/79

8 Sep 1978

Home Office

UCPI0000004721

Letter to F4 notng documents relevant to the review of the work of Special Branches

2 Oct 1978

Home Office

UCPI0000035084

File Cover and Minute Sheet from Home Office file ‘Security Measures, Special Branch Duties and Facilities – Review of Special Branch Duties and Liaison with Security Service’

12 Dec 1978

MI5

UCPI0000035289

Note of MI5 meeting to discuss Terms of Reference for Special Branch, held on 7 Dec 1978

15 Dec 1978

Home Office

UCPI0000035290

Home Office letter to MI5 on describing their work with police in the new terms of reference for Special Branches

8 Mar 1979

Metropolitan Police Special Branch

MPS-0728964

SDS Annual Report 1978, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation

2 Apr 1979

Home Office

UCPI0000004719

Home Office letter on altering 'Terms of Reference' for Special Branches

25 Apr 1979

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

1 Nov 1979

Home Office

UCPI0000004716

Letter from Heaton (Home Office) to MI5 enclosing a draft copy of Terms of Reference for Special Branches (not attached)

6 Dec 1979

MI5

UCPI0000004426

MI5 letter to Heaton (Home Office) advising against redrafting Terms of Reference for a Special Branch

14 Dec 1979

Home Office

UCPI0000035107

Letter from Philips to Heaton (both Home Office) on the definition of subversion

1 Jan 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

1 Apr 1980

Metropolitan Police Special Branch

MPS-0728963

SDS Annual Report 1979, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation

13 Oct 1980

Home Office

UCPI0000004427

Home Office F4 paper on the review of the work of Special Branches, with internal cover letter

23 Mar 1981

Metropolitan Police Special Branch

MPS-0728962

SDS Annual Report 1980, inc letter from Asst Commissioner seeking authorisation to continue

26 Mar 1981

Metropolitan Police Special Branch

MPS-0731871

Letter from David Heaton at Home Office to David Powis at New Scotland Yard authorising continuation of the SDS in 1981/82

5 May 1981

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)

9 Jul 1981

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’

10 Jul 1981

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)

28 Apr 1983

Home Office

UCPI0000004431

Home Office letter to MI5, attaching HO letter to ACPO on restarting review of the Special Branch Terms of Reference (attached)

19 Dec 1984

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