Judge orders disclosure of identities of undercover police in nightclub licence case

A judge has said that undercover police officers whose report led to Islington Council’s controversial decision to close the Fabric nightclub must reveal their identities in court.

Fabric was closed by the council's licensing committee after concerns over drug use and related deaths but the owners are taking legal action to try to get its licence restored.

District Judge Robin McPhee decided at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court that the officers should be identified and that this would not endanger them.

Philip Kolvin QC of Cornerstone Barristers, who is acting for Fabric, said: “The police asked not to reveal their names. We said this was a matter for the court and made no submissions. The court came to its own decision.”

Mark Smulian