Evidence quoted in an opening position statement released on 2 February by the Undercover Policing Inquiry shows that multiple undercover police officers spied on anti-arms trade campaigners, including Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), because of the financial importance of the industry to the British state.

There are also allegations that risks from protests against Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), one of the world’s largest arms fairs, were deliberately exaggerated to ensure a repressive police response designed to stifle protest. In fact the biggest risk facing undercover police officers came from uniformed officers. Or, as they euphemistically say, “over-enthusiastic policing”. One report, a 2003 review of HN3 ‘Jason Bishop’ who targeted DSEI protests states that:

“Source has been targeted at environmentalist groups who engage in direct action and/or protest action and a wide range of environmental and political issues. Some of these issues concern or could influence the financial well being of the State, i.e. DSEI.”

Another, an interview with HN18 Robert Hastings in 2007, states that police targeted DSEI organising:

“Because of the high profile nature of the event and the amount of money involved and the embarrassment that would be caused to the government etc.”