The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comsighted and competent officer, and his last overseas posting was toGeneva in 1973 as head of station. Long told a story about how, when hewas in Laos, McColl broke the ice with the visiting Royal family withan impromptu display on his flute. Ball added, `We're not normally aparticularly formal service, but we should always show due respect tothe Chief. When he walks in, we should all stand.'We had finished the tea and biscuits and were starting to relax,chatting amongst ourselves, when the dishevelled old man who waslurking in the corridor returned. Nobody paid him any attention,presuming that he had come to clear the table. Long coughed discreetlyand Castle sprang to his feet, his back rigid as if on a parade ground,as he realised quicker than most that the scruffy old man in thecrumpled blue suit was not a porter but Sir Colin McColl. The rest ofus scrambled to our feet and there was a clatter as Bart's chair fellover backwards behind him.`Please,' the Chief murmured, indicating to us to sit down with a smallhand movement. McColl looked us over, blinking like an owl struck by alight, but it was evident that a razor intellect gleamed behind hissteady gaze. `Congratulations to you all on being selected for thisservice. You are about to take the first step on what I hope will befor you all a long and rewarding career.' His voice had a sonorousauthority to it, as though he could be a solid church baritone. `We arestill one of the leading intelligence services in the world and we playa major role in maintaining Britain's position at the forefront of theinternational community. You can be assured that, despite all thechanges that are happening in the world today - the crumbling of theiron curtain, the increasing closeness of Britain to our Europeanpartners, the problems in the Middle East - MI6 has a bright, certainand exciting future.' It struck me as odd that McColl should underlinethe security of the future of MI6. It had never occurred to me that itcould be to the contrary; perhaps McColl knew things we didn't. `TheGovernment's commitment to MI6 is such that we will shortly be movingto splendid new headquarters, a modern purpose-built building toreplace this ageing but fondly regarded edifice. It will become, unlikeCentury House, a conspicuous part of the London skyline. I see it as asymbol of the move of MI6 from a shadowy, secret organisation into abody more accountable to the public and to Parliament.' McColl went onto outline new legislation, at that very moment being prepared fordebate in Parliament, which would formally acknowledge the existence ofMI6. `You will therefore see wide-ranging changes in the administrationand running of this service during your career here.' I didn't suspectat the time those changes would have such dramatic consequences for mejust four years later.McColl elaborated his vision of how the priorities of the service wouldchange. `The cold war is now over and the former Soviet Union iscrumbling into chaotic republics. That by no means, however, shouldsuggest that we drop our guard for a moment. Russia remains, and willremain, a potent military threat.' McColl blinked as he paused to letthe words sink in. `Though their military intentions may no longer bebelligerent, their capability remains. The unpredictability andinstability of the new regime could make them all the more dangerous.MI6 will, for many years to come, have an important role in warningthis country of danger signs on their long road to democracy.' McCollsounded convincing and authoritative as he drove home the importance ofpage- 28 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com