Avon and Somerset undercover police officer 'had secret relationship'

The relationship is reported to have lasted 19 years, according to the Guardian newspaper

A police officer engaged in a relationship using their undercover pseudonym, a force has admitted.

Avon and Somerset Police said the member of the public involved was not aware their partner was an undercover officer.

It said it "fully recognised" that the situation had been "deeply upsetting over a number of years, and remains so today".

The Guardian newspaper reported the relationship lasted 19 years.

The newspaper also claimed the officer and their partner had a child together.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was now involved, and as part of its investigation it would be looking into a claim that senior officers "withheld information" from people affected by the undercover officer's behaviour.

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: "While working in an undercover role, a former officer engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of the public using their pseudonym.

"The member of the public has no connection with policing and until recently they were entirely unaware of their links to an undercover police officer.

"They played no role in, and were not connected to, the officer's operational deployment. This deployment is historic and happened many years ago."

'Devastating and appalling'

The force added: "We are sorry. We recognise and understand the devastating and appalling impact this has had on all those affected, and we have taken and continue to take our duty of care to them extremely seriously.

"We will not tolerate any misuse or abuse of position and there are serious consequences for anyone who engages in this behaviour."

An IOPC spokesperson confirmed it is already conducting its own investigation.

"We are in the process of giving the outcome of that investigation to all concerned parties so it would be inappropriate to say more at this time," they said.

"We are also conducting a managed investigation into complaints from members of the public who were affected by the behaviour of the undercover officer, including that senior officers deliberately withheld information from them.

"That investigation is ongoing."