Rob Evans

Rob Evans

Rob Evans is an investigative journalist known for uncovering major stories of corruption and secrecy. He played a key role in exposing the corrupt payment practices of BAE Systems and has been an advocate for freedom of information. Along with fellow reporter Paul Lewis, he co-authored Undercover: The True Story of Britain's Secret Police, which revealed four decades of secret espionage activities in the UK.

Evans also wrote Gassed: British Chemical Warfare Experiments on Humans at Porton Down, shedding light on controversial government experiments. His work has earned multiple awards, including recognition for Undercover and for his reporting on the Al-Yamamah arms deal. He has been a journalist at The Guardian since 1999.

Evans’ bookUndercover: The True Story of Britain's Secret Police investigates how police forces in the United Kingdom, including the Metropolitan Police, secretly infiltrated political activist groups. The groups targeted ranged from the revolutionary left to the far-right, as well as community campaigners with no political ties.

One of the most striking cases uncovered is that of police officer Bob Lambert, who was accused by a Member of Parliament of taking part in a firebombing of a shop that sold fur. Lambert later admitted to fathering a child while living under his false identity. The book also reveals that undercover officers stole the identities of deceased people, often children, and used them to create fake passports, driver’s licenses, and bank accounts.

The reception for Undercover has been overwhelmingly positive. Alan White of the New Statesman praised it for being compelling throughout, crediting the investigative and writing skills of Evans and Lewis. He highlighted it as an example of classic long-form journalism that produced revelations shaking the establishment, sparking multiple police inquiries, and uncovering shocking truths.

He also described the book as one of the strongest arguments for the importance of a free press. Marc Hudson, writing for Peace News, advised activists to read the book, share it, discuss it, and learn from it. In addition, the book was featured in the London Review of Books.

With its combination of shocking revelations, detailed accounts, and meticulous reporting, Undercover sheds light on more than 40 years of covert police operations, serving as both a cautionary tale and a call to defend transparency and accountability.

Rob Evans: Awards & Accolades

Evans' book, Undercover: The True Story of Britain's Secret Police was nominated for the Crime Writer's Association Award, Non-Fiction Dagger, in 2014.

Related Authors

Fans of Rob Evans also enjoy these authors:

1. Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
2. Clive Cussler, author of the Dirk Pitt Series.
3. David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.
4. Karin Slaughter, author of the Will Trent Series.
5. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.

Rob Evans: F.A.Q