Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, the UK’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, has resigned following his inadvertent displaying of confidential documents as he arrived in Downing Street yesterday.
Secret papers detailing an anti-terror operation were caught on camera. The incident led to the operation being brought forward with the arrest of 12 men in the north west of England.
In a statement released by Scotland Yard this morning, Quick said his mistake “could have compromised a major counter terrorism operation”.
Quick said: “I deeply regret the disruption caused to colleagues undertaking the operation and remain grateful for the way in which they adapted quickly and professionally to a revised timescale.”
Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson paid tribute to Quick, describing him as “a tremendous police officer who has served with dedication and professionalism throughout his career.”
“I hold Bob in the highest regard, as a friend and colleague, and that opinion has not changed. He has accepted that he made a serious error and that has led to his resignation this morning.”
“I would like to thank Bob for the excellent job he has done leading the national response to the terrorist threat and the way in which he has led the Counter Terrorist Command in London.”
The Commissioner has appointed Assistant Commissioner John Yates as head of Specialist Operations.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who also serves as Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, issued the following statement: “It is with deep regret that that at 7.30 am this morning I accepted the resignation of AC Bob Quick. Bob understands fully that the security breach which occurred yesterday was a serious issue for which he has taken personal responsibility. Bob has had a long and distinguished career and has made a huge contribution to British policing, particularly in the last year developing the national counter terrorism capability.”
