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.comWhen I joined, there were seven controllerates, the largest and mostpowerful being the East European and Western Europe controllerates. <strong>The</strong>Middle East and Far East controllerates were assuming more prominence,while the African and Western Hemisphere (Latin America and theCaribbean) controllerates were shrinking. <strong>The</strong> Global controllerate wasresponsible for issues such as weapons counter-proliferation, largescaledrugs trafficking and international money laundering.<strong>The</strong> controllerates formed the `teeth' <strong>of</strong> the service, grouped in theDirectorate <strong>of</strong> Requirements and Production. Alongside this directoratewere two further large and unwieldy directorates responsible foradministering the service and providing technical back up. Fourdirectors form the `Board' and control the overall strategy andadministration <strong>of</strong> the directorates, and they are presided over by theChief.One <strong>of</strong> our first lectures at Boro, given by Ball, was on maintainingour `cover' as members <strong>of</strong> the diplomatic service. We were permitted totell immediate family about our true occupation after obtaining writtenpermission from personnel department, but we were forbidden to tellcasual acquaintances that we worked for MI6. Ball explained that tothem we were to claim that we worked for the FCO in King CharlesStreet, Whitehall. To defend this cover, we needed to know how tobehave and talk intelligently about the life and career <strong>of</strong> a genuinediplomat.Ball assigned each <strong>of</strong> us to a cover department in the FCO. Over thenext few days, we went along to Whitehall, met our `colleagues',learned about their work and memorised details about the room wherethey worked, bus and underground routes from our homes into Whitehalland the names <strong>of</strong> the best local pubs.One evening, after a further lecture on cover, Ball invited us to hishouse for a party. `It's my wife's birthday,' he said, `and I am sopleased with how this course is gelling together that I'd like her tohave the opportunity to meet you all.' In MI6 socialisation amongst<strong>of</strong>ficers and their spouses is not unusual, and particularly so on theIONEC, so Ball's invitation did not strike us as odd. `My wife isinviting a few <strong>of</strong> her friends around too, and since none <strong>of</strong> them areconscious as to MI6, it will be an opportunity for you to defend yourcover in a social situation,' Ball added.On the evening <strong>of</strong> the party, we trooped round to Ball's comfortableIslington house, clutching birthday cards and flowers for his wife. Along and bibulous evening ensued. His wife's friends were an eclectic,lively and interesting bunch. I spent much <strong>of</strong> the evening chatting to acommercial diver, who had now set up a marine engineering business.Hare discovered a fellow former army intelligence <strong>of</strong>ficer. Markham, whowas fond <strong>of</strong> good wine, found a kindred spirit in one guest who was awine merchant. It was flattering to find that all the guests were sointerested in our careers as diplomats. Armed with Ball's lessons,however, it was easy to fend <strong>of</strong>f their questions and maintain cover.One guest was an attractive blonde and Spencer, his courage fortifiedby a few cans <strong>of</strong> Younger's lager, was soon in animated conversationwith her. She was a lingerie saleswoman and model and was delightingpage- 38 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version <strong>of</strong> this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com