'An 86-year-old man has been granted permission to launch a lawsuit against police chiefs who have classified him as a "domestic extremist" and kept a detailed record of his political activities on a clandestine database.

John Catt, who has no criminal record, is bringing the high court action against a secretive police unit which systematically logged his presence at more than 55 peace and human rights protests over a four-year period.

Some of the entries record his habit of taking out his sketch pad and drawing the scene at demonstrations. Other entries contain notes on his appearance – such as "clean shaven" – and the slogans on his clothes. His lawsuit will challenge the power of police to compile secret files on law-abiding protesters.'

Read more: Protester to Sue Police Over Secret Surveillance