Woman says finding out son's father was undercover officer destroyed her life
The Guardian|November 30, 2024
A woman was "absolutely ruined" after discovering by chance that the father of her son was an undercover police officer, more than two decades after their child was born, a public inquiry has heard.
Rob Evans
Woman says finding out son's father was undercover officer destroyed her life

The woman, known as Jacqui, described how the undercover officer, Bob Lambert, had fathered their son and then vanished two years after his birth, claiming to be on the run from the police.

She told the undercover policing inquiry that Lambert had told her lie after lie, leaving her to uncover the truth by accident when she read an article about him in the media.

She has been deeply traumatized and has undergone hours of therapy. She said she had become reclusive, adding: "Everything about my life has just been absolutely ruined. I don't really have a life anymore."

Jacqui gave evidence on Thursday about Lambert, a central figure in the spy cops scandal.

He was part of a secret Scotland Yard squad that spied on political activists. Between 1984 and 1989, he went undercover to infiltrate animal rights and anarchist campaigners.

During his deployment, he had sexual relationships with Jacqui and at least three other women without disclosing to them that he was a police spy and was married with two children.

This story is from the November 30, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 30, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
The Guardian

At least 75% of universities join fossil fuel pledge, say activists

More than three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to exclude fossil fuel firms from their investment portfolios, according to campaigners.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell
The Guardian

Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell

Max Verstappen issued a condemnation of his fellow driver George Russell stating he had \"lost all respect\" for him after the pair were involved in an incident during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants
The Guardian

'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants

Pep Guardiola said he expected more respect at Anfield after being taunted about the sack during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool, with the chants prompting the goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to criticise the city as \"not the best part in the UK\".

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder
The Guardian

Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder

When times have been tough in the past for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, there has always been the sense they will pull through; it will be OK.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy
The Guardian

Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy

Pep Guardiola kept holding up six fingers. The Liverpool fans were in delirium and the Liverpool players were jigging and jiving across the turf, and his own players had gone over to applaud the travelling support, which is really the least anyone deserves after attempting to travel across northern England on a Sunday.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton
The Guardian

Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton

\"Amorim, Ruben Amorim, nananananananaaa,\" the jubilant Manchester United fans chorused after Joshua Zirkzee's second goal.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries
The Guardian

Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries

Bad news for fans of slapstick comedy: Chelsea appear to be serious again.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney
The Guardian

Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney

It would be tempting to talk of Tottenham at least being predictable in their unpredictability, of the way they cannot but follow up a great result with a disappointing one, of the inevitability of them, having beaten Manchester City 4-0 the previous weekend, failing to beat Fulham at home.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley
The Guardian

Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley

Emma Hayes United States head coach

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
The Guardian

'Raring to go' Stokes brushes off injury worry after pulling up

Ben Stokes moved to play down concerns over his fitness and declared himself \"raring to go\" for the second Test at Wellington after the England captain ended his efforts with the ball mid-over during the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024