Peter Francis, a former undercover police officer, testified at the Undercover Policing Inquiry about his role in exposing misconduct within the police, including unethical practices by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), and faced widespread criticism for whistleblowing.

Francis was recognized as a highly effective officer who provided intelligence to MI5 and received commendations from security services, but his revelations have made him an 'inconvenient truth' amid ongoing criticism.

Francis first disclosed his identity to The Guardian in 2010 and publicly revealed it in 2013, asserting his belief in transparency about the SDS’s activities and the public’s right to know.

The Undercover Policing Inquiry, which began in 2015, is examining allegations including police sexual relationships with unknowing women, misuse of deceased children's identities, and efforts to smear the family of Stephen Lawrence, with police denying these claims.

Ms. Sikand KC, representing Francis, highlighted the long and arduous process of the inquiry, noting that Francis would not have initiated it if he knew it would take ten years, and emphasized his criticism from police, the spied-upon, and the inquiry itself.

Ms. Sikand argued that Francis’s transparency and willingness to be unmasked are vital for accountability, despite facing controversy and criticism, asserting that the public has a right to know about police misconduct.

Francis revealed that SDS officers engaged in unethical practices such as having sexual relationships without consent and using the identities of deceased children for cover, actions that caused significant hurt and remorse.

The inquiry also discussed the refusal of some witnesses, like HN81, to testify due to legal and jurisdictional issues, which complicates the investigation and highlights the challenges faced by whistleblowers.

Francis's testimony also touched on his role in providing intelligence to MI5 and his receipt of commendations, which contrasts with the criticism he faces for exposing misconduct.

The inquiry continues to explore systemic issues within undercover policing, with Francis’s revelations shedding light on unethical practices and the police's denial of certain allegations.

The investigation faces hurdles such as witness refusals and legal arguments, which hinder the full uncovering of illegal activities by undercover officers.

Despite the controversy, Francis maintains that transparency is essential for accountability, and his disclosures are considered 'inconvenient truths' that challenge the police narrative.