Fabric London closed: Judge rules undercover police must be named due to 'significant public interest'

The club has begun the appeal against its closure

((Pic: Ninja Tune))

A judge has rejected the Met police’s request to keep the names of the officers who investigated Fabric nightclub undercover a secret.

The report that the officers produced after visiting Fabric disguised as clubbers played a major role in the subsequent closure of the club.

The Met argued that, if they lost their anonymity, the officers’ safety and ability to do their job would be at risk, but, at a preliminary hearing, District Judge Robin McPhee said that there was “significant public interest” in Fabric’s appeal against its closure.

The police had a keen interest in the nightclub, as shown in documents obtained by The Independent detailing its “Operation Lenor” (named after the fabric softener).

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

The Met forced a review of Fabric’s licence following the officers’ visit on 2 July, declaring the club a “safe haven” for drugs.

(via Islington Tribune)