"Evidence from this whistleblower shows that the police have been reading the personal emails of peaceful campaigners, some of whom I have worked with and who pose no risk to the public, accessing the most intimate details of their lives through illegally obtained passwords.

"This police unit clearly has no respect for privacy or the law and these alleged actions could disgrace the whole of the Met.

"I will be raising these revelations urgently with the new Commissioner. It is now her responsibility to put a stop to this illegal activity, get this unit under control and regain the trust of Londoners."