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The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comThursday, 1 May 1997, was a glorious Sydney autumnal day, bright bluesky, temperature in the low 30s and a pleasant breeze blowing in fromthe harbour. Disembarking the Cremorne Point ferry to walk the fewhundred metres to Transworld's offices on Yeo Street, I hoped that themeeting would result in a contract. It would be a big breach of theOSA, but given the way I'd been treated, it seemed justified. Theycould hardly expect me to keep my `lifelong duty of confidentiality' ifthey couldn't keep to their own àgreement' for a fortnight. And if Imeekly accepted without protest my dismissal, MI6 would carry oncasually ruining the lives of its employees and trampling on thefreedoms it was supposed to protect.McGhee greeted me in Transworld's reception and showed me through toShona Martyn's office. Martyn, also a New Zealander judging by heraccent, was in her early 40s and pictures of her young family weredisplayed on her desk. She introduced herself as the Australasian nonfictioneditor for Transworld and related some of her previous careeras a journalist first in New Zealand and then with the prestigiousSydney Morning Herald. Over the next hour we discussed the bones of mystory and I threw in a few anecdotes to highlight interesting points. Iwas careful to disguise names, dates and operational detail. Martyndidn't make it clear whether she was interested in the project or not.She sparked over some details, but the next moment she seemed as thoughshe wanted to end the meeting. She had an oddly hostile approach forsomebody who had been a journalist, and kept asking for proof that Ihad really worked in MI6.Òbviously I can't give you that,' I replied impatiently after thethird time of asking, `because if MI6 would not allow my personnelpapers to be released to an employment tribunal, they obviously willnot give them to you.'`But you have to understand that under ethical standards of journalism,I need proof that you really did work for MI6,' she replied. `Besides,why do you want to publish this book?' she asked.Ìt is in the public interest to expose bad management within MI6,' Ireplied, ìn order to encourage them to correct their faults. If I justlet them sweep this failing under the carpet, they will not mend theirways, and in the long run that is potentially far more damaging tonational security.' Martyn nodded approvingly to that at least. Ìwon't gratuitously damage MI6 - I will not compromise any ongoingoperations, I will use aliases for members of staff and I would like tosubmit a draft of the text to MI6 to allow them to censor any passageswhose sensitivity I may have misjudged,' I said.Òh, I could not possibly allow that,' Martyn retorted, `that would beagainst all my ethics as a journalist and defender of freedom ofexpression.'`So you wouldn't be prepared to allow me to submit the manuscript?' Iasked again for clarification.Àbsolutely not!' replied Martyn emphatically.page- 161 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com
The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comAs the discussion seemed to be going nowhere, I gave her an ultimatum.`Well, are you interested in this project or not?'Martyn thought for a moment. `Can you give me what you have written sofar, and I'll think about it?'`No, I can't do that,' I replied, `because I haven't yet written adraft.' It was too risky to give her a copy of the text, even if Irecovered it from its hiding place on the internet.Martyn thought for a moment. Ì'll tell you what, then, write down asynopsis outlining the contents of each chapter and I'll have a thinkabout it,' she replied.I was still suspicious and reluctant. It was one thing to break the OSAverbally, as it could never be proved in court, but putting pen topaper was another. If a written synopsis fell into the wrong hands, I'dbe vulnerable to legal action. But the former journalist had justvouched for her ethics. It was worth the risk. ÒK, I'll give you asynopsis, but I trust that you will show it to nobody.'Martyn pointed to the steel filing cabinet in her office. Ìt'll belocked up in there. It will go nowhere.' She gave me her card and Ileft to get the late-afternoon ferry to Fisherman's Wharf.That evening, back in my rented holiday apartment near Bondi Beach, Ityped an anodyne and brief outline. The following day, unsure of myprospects for a book contract but confident that Martyn would honourher word, I dropped a sealed envelope at Transworld's office.My money was running out and, with no job prospects in sight, mythoughts reluctantly turned to England. There were plenty of drawbacksto returning, but at least there was a job there. It wasn't a greatoffer but it would provide some marketable work experience for thefuture. Perhaps it would turn out better than expected. If it didn't, Icould come back to Sydney. I rang up Stewart Grand Prix, accepted theiroffer and was given a starting date.Back in Milton Keynes, things started brightly enough. I found a smallflat in Wavendon, a village a few miles from work. A Carlisle Saabdealer, from whom my mother had recently bought a car, kindly helpedout by lending one of their demonstration cars. With a flat, a job anda car, my lot was better than it had been for several years. The firstday at work, however, confirmed my worst fears. Contrary to whatMorrison had assured me, I was the junior employee in the departmentwith no input into policies and no outlet to use my initiative ordevelop projects. It amounted to little more than a school-leaver'sjob; MI6 had reneged on another clause of their àgreement'. Moreover,I felt the cloud of my dismissal hanging over me, making it hard for meto feel settled and welcome. Over the next few weeks I made an effortto find something better and attended several interviews, but theknotty chestnut of explaining why I had left the FCO always reared itsthorny head. After many wasted miles in my loan car, I wrote toPD/PROSPECT asking for his help. The reply arrived a few days later,not from the kindly and sensible Timpson but from another officer whosename was unfamiliar. He wrote, `The service has discharged all itspage- 162 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com
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