The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comanother job and offered a loan of œ15,000, which would have to berepaid in ten years. In return, MI6 would not seek to prosecute me onmy return to the UK for the small breaches of the OSA that I hadcommitted by speaking to the Sunday Times; I had to drop my demands foran employment tribunal, hand over my laptop computer for formatting ofthe hard drive containing the text of the book, and sign over copyrighton anything that I subsequently wrote about MI6. It was an absurdlyone-sided proposal.`There is no way you're getting my signature on that,' I protested. `Itdoes not address my right to an employment tribunal.'`Oh, but we've got you a fantastic alternative job,' counteredMorrison, undeterred. `It's a great opportunity, in industry.' Heemphasised the last word proudly, and paused for a moment as if to letthe magnitude of this breakthrough sink in. Personnel were stillassuming that they could decide what sort of career would suit me and`industry' was about as appealing as the City, except with the addedpleasure of living in somewhere like Coventry. `You will be much betterpaid than you were in the service,' Morrison promised, pushing back thebridge of his spectacles.There was no way that I would sign the agreement without a concessionto an employment tribunal. Even if I did sign, it would be impossibleto keep to its terms. `No, I will not sign,' I insisted. `We need tonegotiate something sensible - it is pointless just coming up withsomething like this.'The atmosphere in the meeting grew heated and hostile. Instead ofnegotiating with my objections, Morrison started to cajole andthreaten. `This is all we'll offer,' he announced. `There is nothingmore to negotiate. If you don't sign today, this agreement will bewithdrawn and we will cut off all further negotiation.'`But that is ridiculous,' I pleaded, `You haven't even paid lip serviceto my right to a hearing - this will not work.' My and their patiencegrew thinner. `What will you do to me if I don't sign?' I mocked them.`You could never persuade the Guardia Civil to arrest me just fortalking to a newspaper - unlike Britain, Spain has signed up to theEuropean convention on human rights, guaranteeing freedom ofexpression.'`I wouldn't be so sure of yourself,' spat Morrison menacingly. Wattsjoined in the bullying. `Richard, you know that MI6 is a very powerfulorganisation, with influence around the world. If you don't sign up,we'll use this influence to harass you for the rest of your lifewherever you go. We'll make sure you never get a decent job again andcan never settle in any country with friendly relations with Britain.'I could scarcely believe Watts. He had seemed a decent person untilthis morning.Morrison stood up impatiently, paced across the room and spun on hisheel to face me. `If you don't sign this agreement NOW,' he shouted,`we cannot guarantee your safety.' Morrison looked momentarilyembarrassed at his burst of anger before recovering his composure byremoving his glasses and polishing the lenses. Slipping them back on,page- 158 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com