Glastonbury voice at heart of spy cops inquiry to speak at public meeting

By Laura Linham 3rd Apr 2025

Mark Kennedy pictured in uniform (left) and during his undercover role as 'Mark Stone' (right)
Mark Kennedy pictured in uniform (left) and during his undercover role as 'Mark Stone' (right)

A Glastonbury town councillor and former mayor will speak at a public event in Frome this month about the long-running inquiry into undercover policing.

Cllr Indra Donfrancesco will join fellow Green Party councillor Shane Collins and Chris Brian from the Undercover Research Group at the meeting, which takes place at Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Street, Frome, on Wednesday 30 April from 7pm to 9pm.

The event comes as the Undercover Policing Inquiry—known widely as the 'Spy Cops Inquiry'—enters its final stages. The inquiry is investigating how officers from the Metropolitan Police infiltrated political, social and environmental groups from the 1960s onwards.

Cllr Donfrancesco, who campaigned on environmental issues for more than 15 years, is a Core Participant in the inquiry.

Between 2008 and 2010, while active in the Earth First! Gatherings Collective, she unknowingly came into contact with undercover officer Mark Kennedy. He attended meetings and events, was present at her wedding, and even shared her 40th birthday party.

Kennedy's covert identity was later exposed—making him one of the first known 'spy cops' to be unmasked. Cllr Donfrancesco was part of the group that uncovered his true role after a decade of surveillance within activist circles.

The event will provide updates on the inquiry's findings so far and give a platform to those who were targeted by long-term surveillance operations. Organisers say it's an opportunity for local people to hear first-hand how the tactics used by undercover officers affected the lives of those involved.

The event is open to all.

     

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