Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

EFFORTS to discover the extent of undercover police abuse should be ramped up by the UK and Scottish governments , a union chief demanded yesterday.

Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty spoke out amid fears an official inquiry covering only England and Wales is too limited.

The Pitchford inquiry will not take in Scotland despite widespread evidence and allegations of human rights abuses against protesters, activists and trade unionists by undercover officers.

Workers blacklisted for their activities and unable to find jobs say information was passed on by spy police.

Rafferty said: “ Trade unions and the Blacklist Support Group should be given core participant status in the Pitchford inquiry to highlight the scale of abuse.

“Given the disproportionate number of workers in Scotland affected by the blacklisting scandal in our construction sector, the scope of that inquiry should be extended to Scotland.”

Home Secretary Theresa May is to discuss calls to widen the Pitchford inquiry with Scots Justice Secretary Michael Matheson, but no date has been set.