For years, flatmates Wendy and Ellie trusted James. He joined Wendy’s animal rights advocacy group, quickly becoming one of her closest friends — and Ellie’s boyfriend.

But James wasn’t who they thought. He was an undercover cop, deployed to spy on them.

Part of a secretive UK operation now known as Spy Cops, James was one of many officers who infiltrated activist and protest groups, forming intimate and sexual relationships with their targets -sometimes for years- leaving a trail of betrayal and heartbreak behind.

In this two-part tell-all interview, Wendy and Ellie take us through a 17-year-long deception so cruel that it's almost impossible to comprehend.

Got any tips? Email us at secretswekeep@sca.com.au.

 If this episode raises issues for you, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1322 46 36.

Credits: 

• Host: Joey Watson
• Supervising Producer: Claudianna Blanco
• Sound Design: Matt Curry
• Head of Factual: Clair Weaver

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