by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

A climate change expert has complained to Kent Police after he was photographed by undercover officers at a public meeting discussing the issue, in Chatham.

Richard Knox Johnson, 67, who is also a magistrate in Maidstone and chairman of the Kent branch of the CPRE, attended a public meeting at Fort Amherst a week before the start of the Climate Camp protest last August.

He was there to give expert advice about climate change in Kent, but he alleges he was targetted by police intelligence teams who photographed him and noted down his number plate.

Mr Knox Johnson, who lives in Hartlip, has written a letter to the force, to complain about the intrusion, but has yet to get an apology, or find out if the photographs will be destroyed.

He said: "I went to the meeting to give advice and show a film about how climate change, especially coal-fired power stations, and how they will effect people in Kent.

"It was not a protest, but an informative meeting to let people in the area know the effects climate change has on them.

"I find it quite incredible that they think I may be involved in any protest or mix with people who may cause trouble, I am a magistrate."

Allyn Thomas said: "I have personally been in communication with Mr Johnson. It is regrettable that Mr Johnson continues to feel his concerns have not been resolved.

"There is a difficult balance to be struck on between safeguarding the right to protest in a democratic society and protecting the public through preventing crime and disorder. We therefore in some cases collect information in a discreet way so if there is a problem or incident we are able to investigate thoroughly."

For a fuller version of this story, see the Medway Messenger website.>>>