Judge rules identity of police in fabric investigation must be made public

A judge has ruled the identities of undercover police officers involved in the fabric investigation must be made public.

District Judge Robin McPhee rejected Islington Town Hall's bid to keep them secret, according to the Islington Tribune, citing "significant public interest".

The two officers disguised themselves as clubgoers on July 2 and attended fabric following two drug-related deaths. They then provided a report that prompted Islington Council to review the nightclub's licence, resulting in fabric's indefinite closure in September.

However, Judge McPhee dismissed the view that identifying the officers could risk their safety and restrict them from performing undercover duties in the future.

“If I had a power to withhold names and serial numbers of officers it would be wrong of me to exercise that power. I find no real safety implications and no real evidence that they will not attend court to give evidence.”

McPhee was speaking at a preliminary hearing into the club's appeal last week, where it was also revealed fabric would use ID scanners and open new entrances if the licence revocation was overturned.

The appeal will take place at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court from November 28 to December 1.

Harrison is Mixmag's East Coast Editor. Follow him on Twitter here