Terror Cop Resigns

[Julnar]

Do you think he did the right thing resigning, or was this merely a stupid mistake for which he should have been censored, but allowed to continue in his job?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7991307.stm

[Gromit]

I suspect he resigned rather than be sacked. It wasn't just a silly mistake, it was a mistake that endangered Nation Security and could have resulted in these suspects escaping or even enacting their terror plot against the public.

He got his job because it was deemed he had the required attributes to do the job. By parading top secret information to photographers, he showed that the assessment of his abilities were misplaced. He had to go.

[ummmm]

I think it's a bit over the top.

Who got sacked at the Inland Revenue when they lost our details? I just got a letter saying they were sorry.

It was a very bad mistake but....he's only human after all.

People are now being treated like computers.

[jake-the-peg]

Let's think about this a moment.

Not denying that it was a serious mistake but he wasn't exactly walking along Kensington High Street.

He stepped from his car in front of 10 Downing Street which is policed to stop the likes of you and I wandering about.

In the mean time a journalist took the picture and presumably sent it to a news desk, exposing the material to heaven knows who.

If the hack knew what he'd photographed - he needs stringing up.

Look at it this way - if you found that material on a train - would you

a) Take it to a Police station?
b) Take it to the Sun?

[paraffin]

I think he did the right thing. Unlike the multitude of politicians in this country who do not have the conscience or bottle to resign for their many misdemeanours.

[no-knowledge]

Did he fall before he was pushed?

He has at least done the right thing in resigning. What he did was indefensible.

[Julnar]

Thank you for the thoughtful answers. I'm still in two minds about this one, particularly as he probably didn't expect to be caught outside No. 10 by a photographer. I do respect him for having the decency to resign rather than cling to his job by his fingertips as a politician would probably do.

[andy-hughes]

I think his role as a sernior officer dealing with terrorism would be untennable after this.

he could never command the respect of his peers, much less his subordinates, and i think he has made the correct decision quickly and honourably.

It was an honest mistake, but mistakes like that are simply not permissable at this level of accountability.

[anotheoldgit]

It would seem that this country is now led by the media, and once they start braying for blood, they are not happy until they see heads fall.

Personally I think he did the right thing, at least it is like taking early retirement and he will walk away with a substantial pension.

Another thing that we must take into account is the fact that because of this discloser, the anti-terrorist squad were forced into making an earlier than the envisaged swoop on these alleged terrorists.

Perhaps if they had waited longer, like they had planned to, it could have been too late.

[Gromit]

iPerhaps if they had waited longer, like they had planned to, it could have been too late.

Presumably, the anti terror branch were monitoring this alleged cell to acquire more intelligence and possible evidence against them. And see who else they had contact with and perhaps ensnare others who may be plotting against us.

By compromising that situation and having to make early arrests, it is possible that contacts with others had not yet occurred, and that possible terrorists are now still at large who otherwise might not be if the surveillance had been allowed to continue.

[Whoever]

He probably had no alternative but to resign as the very rare act of censorship of the press had to be implemented to avoid national security being compromised. That is a pretty severe step for a situation triggered by the nation's top security officer. IHe was probably also aware that the reputation of the police in recent national issues has already been badly tarnished and realised that patience and tolerance from all parties had run out. At least he did the honourable thing and I don't think the press are blameless either. There's a difference between gaining a scoop and putting national security at risk. We can only wish that that his political boss, Jacquie Smith might have done the same honourable thing because I suspect her actions over her allowances have caused equal public outrage and dismay..

[anotheoldgit]

By compromising that situation and having to make early arrests, it is possible that contacts with others had not yet occurred, and that possible terrorists are now still at large who otherwise might not be if the surveillance had been allowed to continue.

Obviously I agree this is one side of the coin.

But one can still not rule out my implication, so it would be fool hardy to also not take the alternative early plan on board.

At least we now have some of them locked up for questioning, and most likely there are still others under surveillance, a 'bird in the hand' and all that gromit.

[Gromit]

AOG

It has been alleged that the Omagh bombers were under Mi5 surveillance when they carried out that atrocity, so I take on board your suggestion that the security forces could c�ck up again and have let these alleged terrorists carry out their plot.

[biggerlonger]

this is an example of the tory press electioning, this is payback for the arrest of Damian Green.

make bob looks foolish

serves you right for arresting a tory mp