The Big Breach - Index of
The Big Breach - Index of
The Big Breach - Index of
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Breach</strong>; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments <strong>of</strong> http://www.192.comwas peering up at me from his wobbly perch, sweating pr<strong>of</strong>usely in themidday sun, pretending that there was a gas leak in the hope that thiswould trick me into opening the door.`You've got the wrong building,' I replied mockingly from my sunlounger.`This building is electricity only! Try that building overthere,' I pointed out the neighbouring block. `Yes, I can smell the gasfrom over there!' I said with an exaggerated gesticulation.`Open the door,' he ordered back impatiently, pulling out from his toppocket a heavily chromed police ID badge and thrusting it at me, thegesticulation sending the ladder into a worrying sway. `Police, openthe door.'`OK,' I smiled, `but why didn't you just come up the stairs and knockon the door? It's a lot easier than coming up a ladder.' I ducked backinto the apartment before I could see his reaction. It was Wednesday,17 May, the same day that Mrs Stella Rimington, the former head <strong>of</strong> MI5,announced that she intended to publish her memoirs about MI5, and wasnegotiating a huge advance with a British publisher. Unlike me, she hadnot been arrested or had her computer confiscated and the Britishauthorities were happy to let her publish. As in the Patten case, itwas one rule for the people at the top and another for the little guylike me. Britain's 24-hour news channel, Sky News, had booked me for alive telephone interview at 1530 to discuss this jaw-droppinghypocrisy. <strong>The</strong> phone started ringing as the Italian police burst intomy flat.`Up against the wall,' screamed the two heavies who led the charge,their pistols drawn and pointing at my chest.`All right, calm down,' I urged them. It was my tenth police bust and Ihad my hands up against the wall and feet apart before they'd evenrecovered their breath. Five other <strong>of</strong>ficers entered the room and oneput the lights on. `Hey, turn them <strong>of</strong>f,' I ordered, remembering a tipgiven me by Onion-head. `You might have a warrant to search my room,but you haven't got one to steal my electricity.' <strong>The</strong> irritated <strong>of</strong>ficerflicked them <strong>of</strong>f and went over to raise the blinds. <strong>The</strong> sweaty chiefarrived a few minutes later, introduced himself as Inspector Verrando<strong>of</strong> Rimini DIGOS, the Italian special investigations police, andpresented two British SB <strong>of</strong>ficers who had come along for a day's outingon the Italian seaside. Whereas Peters and Ratcliffe had some humandecency and intelligence, these were a couple <strong>of</strong> jobsworths, selectedto follow MI6 orders unquestioningly.<strong>The</strong> search <strong>of</strong> my flat took about two hours. <strong>The</strong> jobsworths waved avaguely worded warrant that empowered them under the Mutual AssistanceAct to confiscate anything they wanted. My computer and Psion werefirst in the pile. <strong>The</strong>n my whole CD collection, both music ands<strong>of</strong>tware. `I'm not competent to examine them for hidden files,'announced Jobsworth One.`Are you competent to do anything?' I replied helpfully.Next all my legal papers. <strong>The</strong>n my mobile phone. `So that we can see whoyou've been calling,' explained Jobsworth Two.page- 229 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version <strong>of</strong> this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com