Despite secret recordings, no one to face discipline over undercover police affair

No individual will be disciplined for the wrongful conviction of environmental protesters despite secret recordings by a rogue undercover police officer that undermined the case against them, a watchdog ruled yesterday.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission found "collective failings" were to blame for police not detailing the role of undercover officer Mark Kennedy and did not amount to misconduct. It emerged yesterday a senior prosecutor at the centre of the affair,who faced possible dismissal, retired last month ensuring no person will be disciplined over the matter.

A total of 114 people were arrested before a planned operation by protesters to storm the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire in 2009. The recordings came to light this year when a trial against six of the activists collapsed after Mr Kennedy, who had posed as an activist called Mark Stone, offered to give evidence on their behalf. The tapes showed some of them did not know about the plan to close the power station and were persuaded to take part.

A further 20 people had their convictions quashed after previously being convicted of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass.