10:02am Friday 26th October 2001
A former Croydon woman is suing the Metropolitan Police after her arrest under the Official Secrets Act lost her a university place, damaging her chances of getting a job.
Julie-Ann Davies, 36, who lived in Croydon until she was 25 and attended St Mary's High School in Woburn Road, was arrested in March by Special Branch officers investigating her contact with renegade MI5 officer, David Shayler last year.
Last week she started a civil action against the Commisioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens, because Special Branch can't be sued directly.
Miss Davies, helped by top human rights lawyer, Gareth Peirce, is claiming damages on the grounds including the malicious production of a search warrant, breach of privacy and psychological injury.
The Met now have 90 days to respond to the action. They could offer damages or the case could go to a civil court.
The police dropped the investigation into Miss Davies last year, when Mr Shayler returned to England, but she insists she has never seen information from Mr Shayler which is not already in the public domain.
Mr Shayler, himself due to face trial next month for breach of the Official Secrets Act, believes the establishment has ruined his supporter and friend's life.
He said: "It's totalitarian to arrest people who protest against things. This is supposed to be the home of democracy."
Miss Davies, now living in Stratford, has still not found employment after Kingston University removed her from the engineering course without informing her.
When removed from the course, Miss Davies said: "I feel violated. With no evidence people could come in, remove things, turn my life upside down, when all I have done is question the secret service."
But she is still standing firm, commenting: "I've got to stand up against it. I might get some answers about why they thought it necessary."
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