The Big Breach - Index of
The Big Breach - Index of
The Big Breach - Index of
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Breach</strong>; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments <strong>of</strong> http://www.192.commy discussions with Wadham and Davies, they would have known fromcopying the `rule 37' papers in my cell.Two screws escorted me back up to Bow Street Magistrates on Monday, 24November. Up in the dock, the magistrate asked me to confirm myidentity, then read the charges against me. `What is your plea?' hefinally asked.<strong>The</strong> court was hushed in anticipation and in the press gallery I couldsee the hacks with pens poised to record the plea <strong>of</strong> the first MI6<strong>of</strong>ficer charged with violating the OSA since Blake. `Guilty,' Ireplied, keeping my voice as steady as I could. <strong>The</strong> press galleryscrabbled out <strong>of</strong> court to broadcast the news. But there was not aflicker <strong>of</strong> reaction from Colin Gibbs or the SIS legal representative.In the prison van going back to Belmarsh my guilt was reported insensational fashion on the radio news bulletins every half hour. <strong>The</strong>next day it was on the front page <strong>of</strong> most <strong>of</strong> the broadsheets. <strong>The</strong> Timesaccused me <strong>of</strong> having `attempted to sell secrets' to an Australianpublisher. <strong>The</strong> Telegraph lamely repeated the MI6 line that I had`endangered the lives <strong>of</strong> agents'. I/OPS must have been pleased with theresults. <strong>The</strong> sensational coverage would strengthen the mythical statusin which MI6 are revered in some quarters and deepen the mysteriousimportance <strong>of</strong> their work. But a more direct consequence for me was thatthere was a danger <strong>of</strong> the media coverage `hyping' my sentence and thaton sentencing day on 18 December the judge would give me a longerstretch than I would otherwise have received.`You look like a bleedin' hippy,' Onion-head laughed in the lunch queuea few days before my sentencing.`I'd get it cut if I were you,' advised Dobson. `<strong>The</strong> joodge'll give yerthree months more with yer hair like that.'<strong>The</strong>y were right - a haircut was already overdue when my appointment inWavendon had been peremptorily interrupted by my arrest. That evening'sassociation I filled in the application form to the Governor and MrRichards advised me the next day that permission had been granted.`You can be our new barber's first client,' he grinned. `Clarke! Comehere,' he shouted across the spur, `your services are required!'<strong>The</strong> new barber, a Jamaican armed robber who had just been remanded theprevious day, ambled out <strong>of</strong> his cell, pulling up the drawstring <strong>of</strong> histrousers. He suffered from a severe nervous twitch which had caused hisshotgun to accidentally discharge while he was holding up a bank inSouthall. Luckily the shot hadn't hit anybody but nevertheless he wasfacing a longer sentence as a result <strong>of</strong> the negligent discharge. He hadnever cut hair in his life but Mr Richards had appointed him spurbarber because he shared his name with Nicky Clarke, a celebrity Londonhairdresser. `Here's the clippers,' Mr Richards bellowed cheerfully,passing a small wooden box to the bemused Clarke. `Get one <strong>of</strong> thosechairs and set up shop under the stairs.'`Can you just tidy it up a bit?' I asked Clarke as soon as a chair hadbeen positioned and the clippers had been plugged in. `I'm up in thedock for sentencing tomorrow.'page- 186 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version <strong>of</strong> this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com