Philip Allen (Home Office)

Phillip Allen (1912-2007) joined the Home Office in 1934. In 1966–1972, Allen was the most senior civil servant in the Home Office as permanent undersecretary of state - this period included the SDS' creation.  He was also a member of the Official Committee on Subversion at Home. 

His name appears on a handful of Inquiry documents, but none directly connecting him with the creation of the SDS - in fact, documents relating to that are missing - and were apparently destroyed. The relevant Home Office file is 'missing' QPE/66 1/8/5 - according to the Taylor Report.  However, it is clear that the unit had full approval. Background and Foundation of the SDS The Special Demonstration Squad was formed on 31 July 1968, in the wake of the furore over the disorderly anti-Vietnam war demonstration in March that year that took place outside the US embassy in London. HN325 Conrad Dixon credited with its creation, and was it senior officer during its first months of operation. Full page: Background and Foundation of the SDS  It is very unlikely that the SDS would have been created without the approval of both him and Home Secretary James Callaghan. Regarding the funding and continuation of the unit, it was another senior civil servant, James Waddell, who appears to have had a more 'hands-on' role.