A COUNTER terrorism police unit has been spying on Caroline Lucas for nine years.

A secretive police team which was tasked with monitoring dangerous extremists has collected a dossier of information on the Brighton Pavilion MP.

The file on Ms Lucas lists more than a dozen minor appearances at political rallies and demonstrations and dates back as far as 2007 but contains no suggestion of any involvement in any serious crimes.

Ms Lucas condemned the use of terrorism powers for surveillance as a "clear waste of the public’s money" and said it was "stifling legitimate protest."

Many of the events Ms Lucas was observed at were publicly announced and publicised in advance.

These included the politician being observed attending an event to mark the 100th anniversary of the suffragette movement.

The file notes "identifications within the crowd: Caroline Lucas" and adds that she "gave a speech".

Ms Lucas said: “Spending precious resources on monitoring elected politicians is a clear waste of the public’s money – and sends a chilling message to those who want to engage in peaceful political demonstrations. Nobody should be subject to arbitrary surveillance.

“It’s this kind of thinking that has led police in this country to waste vast amounts of taxpayers’ money in infiltrating environmental groups. The police should focus resources on fighting real crime, not attempting to stifle legitimate protest.”

The domestic extremism unit said they were last night unable to explain why Ms Lucas had been identified as a target.

Last year Ms Lucas criticised powers allowing GCHQ - the Government intelligence unit - to spy on MPs telephone conversations, saying it breached constituents’ right to privacy and would prevent them supporting whistleblowers.

Green Party candidate for the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner role James Doyle said: "I am extremely shocked and disappointed to see such a colossal waste of taxpayers' money, Everybody has the right to assemble peacefully, speak freely and protest. Shouldn't the police be fighting real crime?"

Sussex Police said they were unable to confirm whether the force's resources had been used to monitor Ms Lucas.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE DOSSIER CONTAIN?

THESE are the events the domestic extremism unit collected information on about Caroline Lucas. 

October 13, 2008 – 100th anniversary of the suffragettes rushing Parliament. Terror log reports protesters “undertook a pre-advertised protest”. Ms Lucas was identified in the crowd and “gave a speech”. 

September 9, 2009 – Climate Rush environmental campaign, Aylesbury town centre. Dossier documents states :”the following persons were identified as being present... Caroline Lucas’s attendance 

August 19, 2013 – Fracking protest, Balcombe. Officers recorded four separate entries on her widely publicised participation at the protest. Officers said she was “placing herself in a position of protest likely to result in police intervention. Her arrest thereby gained the protest more media notoriety that had she chosen to protest in a lawful manner”.  Ms Lucas was arrested for obstructing a public highway and for a public order offence but was later cleared of all charges. 

February 19, 2014 – demonstration against ATOS Brighton Assessment Centre, Dyke Road, Brighton. It is recorded that “Caroline Lucas attended the protest and spoke to some assembled journalists”. 

April 27, 2014 – March For England, Brighton. Ms Lucas had previously expressed her opposition in the Argus and other media and attended the event. Anti-terror officers documented that she was “sighted by FIT teams”.

June 20, 2015 – People’s Assembly Against Austerity demonstration, central London. Intelligence reveals: “Caroline Lucas DOB 09/12/1960 was known to have given a speech at the end of the main march.”