Overview

Tranche 5 of the Undercover Policing Inquiry looks at issues around undercover policing units other than the Special Demonstration Squad or the National Public Order Intelligence Unit.

According to the Twelfth Update Note (July 2023) , work on these issues has already begun but little further is known. There was no information provided in the Thirteenth Update Note.

The non-state core participants for this tranche are the former MP Dave Nellist and, previously, Azhar Khan.  In 2025, these were joined by 'Gabriella' and her daughter 'Deborah', who were linked to the notorious Avon & Somerset Police case.

In April 2024, the Inquiry released documents to anonymity applications by a number of undercovers and related officers who will appear in this tranche. These have been given the nominal form RFNxx. To date, the known nominals are:

RFN1, RFN2, RFN3, RFN8, RFN9, RFN16, RFN17, RFN21, RFN24, RFN25, RFN26. 

For procedural documents relating to their anonymity process, see the Tranche 5 Officers page.

Procedural

Date
Title
Document Type
Topic
Module 1 Other Undercover Policing Issues List
Issues list
Issues lists
Twelfth Update Note
Update
Miscarriages of Justice, Issues lists, Anonymity, Costs
Update on Tranche 5 Investigations
Press Notice
Inquiry sets out its Investigation Strategy for Tranche 5 and publishes its first batch of Tranche 5 anonymity decisions and minded to orders
Press Notice
Anonymity
Anonymity ruling – second ruling on applications for anonymity from Tranche 5 undercover officers and managers
Press Notice
Anonymity

References

Author(s)
Title
Publisher
Year
Rob Evans, Aamna Mohdin
Avon and Somerset police apology over undercover officer’s ‘inappropriate relationship’
The Guardian
Rob Evans, Aamna Mohdin
Revealed: undercover UK police officer deceived woman into 19-year relationship
The Guardian