Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill [HL]

Lord Bishop of Newcastle Excerpts

2nd reading
Friday 17th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Bishop of Newcastle]

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, for bringing this Bill before your Lordships’ House. It is an honour to follow the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, in this debate. I acknowledge the contributions from your Lordships who have drawn on their expertise and experience, which is far beyond my own.

Before turning to the substance of the Bill, which I support, I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary service that our police officers give to this country. In doing so, I pay tribute to PC Jess Turnbull of Northumbria Police, who tragically died in the line of duty at just 19 years of age. Her funeral was held in Newcastle Cathedral last Friday. We continue to hold her family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers, giving thanks for her life and her willingness to serve others at such a young age. Her death reminds us that policing is a vocation of public service, often carried out at great personal cost. It is in that spirit that I approach the Bill.

This Bill is not about preventing legitimate activities. Rather, it addresses one specific question, which, at its heart, is an ethical question before it is a legal one. The Bill concerns one of the most fundamental aspects of human life: the ability to trust another person. When an intimate relationship is deliberately entered into or maintained under a false identity for the purposes of surveillance, genuine consent is fundamentally compromised and profound harm can result. We have heard the testimony of those whose lives have been permanently affected by such experiences.

Recognising that harm is not a criticism of policing or the secret services. Rather, it affirms that those engaged in covert work, and those who authorise it, deserve clear ethical and legal boundaries within which to carry out their responsibilities. I therefore believe the Bill rightly recognises an ethical boundary that should not be crossed. Clear statutory limits are not a sign of distrust in such operations; they provide clarity for those exercising exceptional powers, protection for the public, and confidence that those powers are exercised within a clear moral and legal framework.

Public trust is one of the greatest assets that our police possess. It is painstakingly built but easily diminished. Effective policing depends upon not only the lawful exercise of power but public confidence that such authority will be exercised wisely, proportionately and with integrity. As the Bill progresses, I hope we will give careful attention to whether its provisions are sufficiently clear, oversight is sufficiently robust, and those undertaking covert work are themselves given the guidance and protection they need. Ethical clarity is not an obstacle to effective policing; it is one of its foundations.

The tragic death of PC Jess Turnbull reminds us of the courage that policing demands. We honour that courage by ensuring that those entrusted with extraordinary responsibilities are supported by laws that reflect the highest ethical standards. In doing so, we strengthen not only our policing but the trust between the police and the communities they serve, upon which our common life ultimately depends.