Anti-fascism, fascism and the surveillance state

Evidence heard at the Undercover Policing Inquiry has revealed Special Branch’s historic interest in anti-fascist groups. It has also released a remarkable amount of hitherto restricted information, not just about the spying but also about public order policing. Using case studies of the iconic anti-fascist and anti-racist battles of Lewisham (1977), Southall (1979) and similar events, we show how information released by the Inquiry has changed our understanding of these historic events. The evidence also reveals the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and fascist organisations such as the National Front, who were challenging multi-racial communities and the left for control of the streets in the 1970s. The work to collate, assess and analyse the documents in this highly unusual snapshot of part of the secret state continues. Phase 1, covering the years 1968 to 1982, is close to completion, and there is plenty more to come.