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.comJourdain and Brandt were putting me into an awkward position. <strong>The</strong>ywanted me to break the OSA by telling them about Britain's operationsin Switzerland, which could lead to prosecution in Britain. On theother hand, since MI6's undeclared operations in Switzerland wereillegal under Swiss law, refusal to help the police in a criminalinvestigation would be an <strong>of</strong>fence for which I could potentially beimprisoned, and it would certainly scupper any chance <strong>of</strong> getting Swissresidency. Jourdain appeared to read my thoughts. `Failing to help uswill not help your application for a residency permit,' he addedmenacingly.I had to think <strong>of</strong> my long-term future. MI6 had used their influence toprevent me making a fresh start in New Zealand and Australia, despiteWarren Templeton's and John Wadham's strenuous efforts to persuade themto negotiate an end to the pyrrhic dispute. I would have settled justfor the return <strong>of</strong> my computer and for an Australian visa, but MI6 wereset resolutely on a Thatcheresque, no-compromise, no-turning-backpolicy. Given their intransigence, I decided to pledge my future toSwitzerland in the hope that I could get permanent residence status, awork permit, then find constructive and permanent employment.`OK, how can I help?' I replied cautiously.Over the next three months, the Swiss police convoqu‚'d me four times.Each time, I cooperated fully with their enquiries and I built up agood personal relationship with Jourdain and Brandt who even showed meMI6's increasingly irate requests to have me arrested and deported toBritain, or at least expelled from Switzerland. Jourdain assured methat they had ignored the letters, as I had done nothing against Swisslaw.`C'est vraiment vous?' laughed the French Douane incredulously,pointing out my description, which had flashed up on the screen in theborder kiosk after he had tapped my passport details into the computer.In French, under my police mugshot, was written:Name: TOMLINSON Richard John CharlesNationality:British and New ZealandBorn: Hamilton, New Zealand, 13/01/63Resident: No fixed abodeDetails: Subject is former member <strong>of</strong> British Special Forces andSpecial Services, trained in firearms, explosives, unarmedcombat, scuba-diving, pilots licence, parachutist, expertin cryptography. Subject is a menace to the security <strong>of</strong>France.`Ridiculous,' I laughed. `It's a joke. <strong>The</strong> British are pulling yourleg.'`Sit down there,' the Douane replied, ignoring my protests. `Wait untilthe police arrive.' He indicated a chair in the corner <strong>of</strong> the kioskFor the sixth time in a year, I was being detained at the request <strong>of</strong>MI6. It was late on the evening <strong>of</strong> Wednesday 6 January, and I had justpicked up my parents in a hire car from Geneva airport. We were headingpage- 220 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version <strong>of</strong> this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com