Open consultation

Consultation on the future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry

Published 16 July 2026

About this consultation

The Undercover Policing Inquiry was established in 2015 under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine undercover policing in England and Wales since 1968.

This consultation is aimed at:

• core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry including:
  • women deceived into relationships with undercover officers
  • individuals or groups who were reported on
  • family members of deceased children whose identities were used
  • representatives of family justice campaigns
  • families of undercover officers
  • police forces and policing organisations
• individuals or organisations that are likely to have been significantly involved or affected by undercover policing in England and Wales
• legal representatives
• academics
• representations are also welcome from any member of the public with an interest in the future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry

Why we are consulting

The Undercover Policing Inquiry was established in 2015. It was originally expected to conclude within 3 years. More than ten years on, the inquiry remains ongoing.

To date, the inquiry has also spent over £138 million, you can find further information on the Undercover Policing Inquiry: Official Website. Ministers remain concerned about the length and cost of the inquiry and the delay in providing outcomes to those affected. Ministers have also emphasised that recommendations for reform of undercover policing should be provided in a timely manner, to enable the government to consider and implement any reforms as appropriate.

Under Sir John Mitting’s Chairmanship, the inquiry has divided its work into 3 modules and tranches.

Module 1: deployment of undercover officers in the past, including their conduct and impact

Module 2: management and oversight of undercover officers, including the legal / regulatory framework

Modules 1 and 2 have been subdivided into ‘tranches’:

• Tranche 1: Special Demonstration Squad, 1968-82 - complete

• Tranche 2: Special Demonstration Squad, 1983-92 - complete

• Tranche 3: Special Demonstration Squad, 1993-2007(Hearings are currently ongoing for this tranche)

• Tranche 4: National Public Order Intelligence Unit, 1999-2011

• Tranche 5: all other undercover policing, 1968-date

Module 3: current and future undercover policing practices

To date, Sir John Mitting has focused on tranches 1 to 3 and the activities of the Special Demonstration Squad, from 1968 to 2007. In 2023, an interim report covering tranche 1, the period up to 1982, was published. Sir John Mitting has signaled his intention to retire following the publication of a further report covering tranches 1 to 3.

This is therefore an opportune moment to reflect on whether the inquiry as currently structured remains the most effective means of achieving its aims or whether alternative approaches might better secure accountability, learning and reform within a reasonable timeframe.

This consultation forms part of that reflection.

What this consultation covers

The consultation is issued by the Home Office to inform ministerial decisions on the most appropriate, proportionate and effective way forward. Ministers wish to understand the current issues of concern and hear recommendations for their consideration. The government recognises the importance of the inquiry to those affected by undercover policing and to wider public confidence in policing and accountability. At its heart, this work must help victims and others affected to secure the fullest possible account of what happened, and to see truth, accountability and learning delivered without further unnecessary delay. We particularly welcome the views of those directly affected.

This consultation seeks views on the future structure, scope and format of the Undercover Policing Inquiry. This does not cover tranches 1, 2 and 3 (Special Demonstration Squad, 1968–2007) which will have been concluded upon Sir John’s retirement.

This consultation is not a re-opening of evidence, nor a call for new factual material about undercover policing or individual cases. Respondents are invited to focus on how the Inquiry’s remaining objectives could best be achieved. The government recognises that many individuals and groups have personal, lived experiences connected to this inquiry. While the scope of the consultation is necessarily focused on future arrangements, responses will be treated with appropriate care and respect.

What work remains for the inquiry to cover

A key consideration is the extent and purpose of the inquiry’s remaining work and whether it should still be pursued.

On the inquiry’s current plan, the work not yet covered when Sir John issues his report would include:

• Tranche 4 (National Public Order Intelligence Unit, 1999–2011): the undercover operations of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit, including the conduct and impact of deployments, and related issues of management, oversight and the role of other bodies with a connection to undercover policing.
• Tranche 5 (all other undercover policing beyond the Special Demonstration Squad and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit), 1968–present): other undercover policing activity across England and Wales over the full period in scope, including the deployment of undercover officers and the associated management, oversight, legal and regulatory framework.
• Module 3 (current and future undercover policing practices): consideration of current practice and how undercover policing should be conducted in the future.

You are invited to suggest whether specific remaining areas of work should be prioritised and, if so, which ones. Respondents are also asked which outcomes matter most for the remaining work, for example, establishing findings of fact, ensuring accountability, making recommendations for reform or providing disclosure / answers for those affected or delivering timely conclusions. Respondents are also invited to share their views on alternative ways to address the remaining areas of interest, if the inquiry does not continue in its current form.

How to respond

Responses should be submitted through Consultation on the Future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

If you require a hard copy of the consultation survey, or a version in Welsh or another language, please contact: ucpiconsultation@homeoffice.gov.uk

We may also hold follow-up meetings with key stakeholders to further explore these questions - the questionnaire asks respondents to indicate whether you would like to take part.

The principles that government departments and other public bodies should adopt for engaging stakeholders when developing policy and legislation are set out in the consultation principles.

Support services

We recognise that the issues covered by the Undercover Policing Inquiry may be distressing. If you are affected, you may wish to seek support from one of the organisations or other services available to you.

Please note that the services and organisations are independent of the Home Office.

What will happen next

The government will analyse consultation responses and use them to inform ministerial decisions on the future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

A report of the consultation and the government’s response will be published in Autumn 2026.