Jeremy Johnson QC and Kate Cornell represent Met Police in milestone misconduct case

Jeremy Johnson QC and Kate Cornell represent Metropolitan Police in high profile misconduct proceedings against former undercover police officer.

Jim Boyling, a former undercover police officer in the Metropolitan Police’s now disbanded Special Demonstrations Squad (SDS), was dismissed without notice on Thursday 3 May 2018.

Jeremy Johnson QC and Kate Cornell presented the case against the former undercover officer at a private misconduct hearing held under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008. Mr Boyling faced three allegations of having a deceitful relationship with a woman whilst misusing his undercover identity; of deliberately concealing the relationship from the MPS; and for revealing confidential information. All three allegations were proven as gross misconduct and the officer was dismissed without notice. He will also now go onto the barred list.

This was the first misconduct case to take place following revelations in the press that various undercover officers conducted relationships with women in their target groups. It is a milestone decision, underlining the position already articulated by the MPS that such relationships were deceitful and wrong. The case has received significant national media attention.

There have been related civil proceedings arising from this case in which Jeremy has already appeared. Another woman known as ‘Monica’ has made similar allegations against Mr Boyling and her case is under review, with Jeremy and Kate also instructed in relation to that. This and other similar cases will also form part of the evidence to be considered by the Undercover Policing Inquiry, in which several members of chambers are instructed.

Media links include:

BBC

The Guardian

The Independent