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.”
Leo says
Bob Quick’s decision to resign was not the right one because he would have probably been going over those papers in the car from Scotland Yard to Downing Street before his meeting. Once inside the secure restricted area in front of Downing Street it would have been safe to walk into Downing Street,from what I have seen nothing on that page that was visable actually would have made sense to anyone, which meant that those papers could have been regarding anything. I dont believe for one second that Bob Quick made a lapse in judgement, bearing in mind the fact that ministers walk in and out of Downing Street day in and day out with papers under their arm in a restricted and secure area. It is now obvious that the right for photographers to have security clearance within the Downing Street restricted area should be reviewed because this episode was unfair and now a clear security breach if the photographer’s cannot be trusted. I believe that Bob Quick should go over the detailed facts of that day and withdraw his resignation. Bob Quick is a Man that stands for everything that is right,he is a honourable man that has worked hard all his life and dedicated his life for the good of others.