Quebec Police go undercover at Montebello SPP protest - memories of the same 44 years ago

Quebec provincial police have admitted that 3 officers disguised themselves as demonstrators during the protest at the North American leaders summit in Montebello, Quebec but denied they were acting as agents provocateurs - to provoke the crowd and instigate violence.

The official Police line after Trade UNion officials identified the bandana wearing, rock carrying crew was that the officers were only at the protest to locate and identify non-peaceful protesters in order to prevent any incidents. (see You Tube video of their unmasking)

How were they identified ?

They were all wearing standard Police issue boots.... which makes you wonder what the real agents provocateurs were wearing.

Those of us with long and happy memories of dissent will recall the visit in April 1963 of King Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece - Prince Philip's "favourite aunt" who had been in the Hitler Youth and whose 3 brothers served in the Wehrmacht.

On an earlier visit that year when she came alone, Frederika was met by hostile crowds of protesters including the wife of imprisoned Communist leader Tony Ambeteilos) calling her the "Nazi Queen" and cries of "Seig heil" (Post modern irony had started even then).

Detective Sergeant Harry Challenor, Freemason and bent copper from West End Central who had acheived a certain celebrated notoriety for "finding " evidence, was exposed trying to frame a group of young demonstrators.

Pieces of household brick were "found" in their pockets, implying they could have thrown them at the Queen or police guarding her.

The accused were all cleared. No brick dust was found in their pockets. (reminds you of Barry George ?)

Challenor was put on trial for conspiring to attempt to pervert the course of justice. Three young constables who worked with him were jailed for three years. Challenor was found unfit to plead and detained in a mental hospital at her Majesty's pleasure - later it was determined (1)claimed he had planted evidence inn at least 26 cases.

The Home Office Minister at the time was Henry Brooke a favourite target of the then new Private Eye and he was also parodied on BBC's "That Was the Week That Was" who called him "the most hated man in Britain" and ended a mock profile of him with the phrase (long before de Menezes) "If you're Home Secretary, you can get away with murder". It was during his time that new anti-drug laws were introduced for possession of amphetamines and the growing of cannabis.

(1) James Report (Home Office appointed Inquiry into the Challenor Affair), HMSO 1965. See also - Mary Grigg, Challenor Case, Penguin 1965.

UPDATE

Wonderful Collectionion of pics from Montebello CUPE National Photo Gallery Demonstration in Montebello : Monday August afternoon. Here is one pic showing the agents provocateurs being "arrested"...Examine the boots of the arresting goons and the unlucky "protestors".