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Police chief quits over blunder Police chief quits over blunder
(about 3 hours later)
Britain's top counter-terrorism officer has quit after admitting he could have jeopardised an operation to thwart a possible UK al-Qaeda terror plot.Britain's top counter-terrorism officer has quit after admitting he could have jeopardised an operation to thwart a possible UK al-Qaeda terror plot.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick resigned after he accidently revealed a secret document to photographers.Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick resigned after he accidently revealed a secret document to photographers.
Police were forced to bring their operation forward and arrested 12 men - 11 of whom are Pakistanis.Police were forced to bring their operation forward and arrested 12 men - 11 of whom are Pakistanis.
Gordon Brown said Mr Quick had said sorry for what went wrong and that he had thanked him for his long service. Gordon Brown said Mr Quick had said sorry for what went wrong and he had thanked him for his long service.
The prime minister also said Pakistan's government "had to do more" to root out the terrorist elements in its country.The prime minister also said Pakistan's government "had to do more" to root out the terrorist elements in its country.
'Lives at risk'
Sources say the planned attack was to be "very soon" and "very, very big".Sources say the planned attack was to be "very soon" and "very, very big".
BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said sources close to the investigation had revealed the counter-terror operation had been launched in response to a possible terrorist plot that had reached its final stages of planning. 'Lives at risk'
Brown:' Increasingly we have seen terrorist links with Britain and Pakistan' Former home secretary David Blunkett has questioned whether there should be tighter controls on photographers outside Number 10.
Although no specific target was mentioned in intelligence, police moved quickly because of concerns over the scale of the attack and the fact that it was going to happen soon, he said. The Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside told BBC Radio 4's PM programme it was right to ask what restrictions may have to be introduced.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said it was an MI5 intelligence-led investigation into plans for a suspected attack in the UK. He said: "I have got to ask the question... is it appropriate when we are talking about security, safety, when we are talking about the revelation from a photograph, that we should have that carrying on in Downing Street in quite the same way?"
It may have involved an improvised explosive device, security expert Peter Taylor added. The bit I don't understand is why on earth a document like this is not locked in a briefcase as a matter of routine? Chris GraylingShadow home secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7991346.stm"> In pictures: Terror raids class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7992527.stm"> PM attacks Pakistan terror threat
The operation, and its subsequent raids in Manchester, Liverpool and Clitheroe in Lancashire, had gone ahead on Wednesday afternoon rather than 0200 BST on Thursday after Mr Quick's memo blunder, Mr Taylor said. He added he did not blame photographers for Mr Quick's resignation but that he had paid a "terrific price" for his "foolish" mistake.
The BBC's Daniel Sandford said the change of timings had "put public lives at risk" because it was carried out when people were awake and in public areas. After announcing he was to quit his post, Mr Quick said: "I have today offered my resignation in the knowledge that my action could have compromised a major counter-terrorism operation.
Police are questioning the 12 arrested men and "deep searches" of addresses are continuing, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner added.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy of Greater Manchester Police emphasised that the threat from terrorists had not increased but urged the public to remain vigilant.
Eleven of those arrested are Pakistan-born nationals on student visas and one is a UK-born British national. Their ages range from a teenager to a 41-year-old, police said.
The bit I don't understand is why on earth a document like this is not locked in a briefcase as a matter of routine? Chris GraylingShadow home secretary In pictures: Terror raids PM: Pakistan must root out terror
Gordon Brown said: "Increasingly we have seen terrorist links with Pakistan and Britain.
"I'll be talking to the Pakistan president Mr Zardari - we want the closest co-operation between Britain and Pakistan to deal with countering terrorism."
After announcing he was to quit his post, Mr Quick said in a statement: "I have today offered my resignation in the knowledge that my action could have compromised a major counter-terrorism operation.
"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.""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."
The senior Metropolitan Police officer has faced intense criticism from opposition politicians after revealing the confidential document to photographers after arriving for the Number 10 briefing in his anti-terrorism role and for the Association of Chief Police Officers.The senior Metropolitan Police officer has faced intense criticism from opposition politicians after revealing the confidential document to photographers after arriving for the Number 10 briefing in his anti-terrorism role and for the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The memo, marked "secret", carried an outline briefing on an ongoing counter-terror operation.The memo, marked "secret", carried an outline briefing on an ongoing counter-terror operation.
It contained the names of several senior officers, locations and details about the nature of the overseas threat.It contained the names of several senior officers, locations and details about the nature of the overseas threat.
'Right thing''Right thing'
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said it was "with great sadness" that he had accepted Mr Quick's resignation.Mayor of London Boris Johnson said it was "with great sadness" that he had accepted Mr Quick's resignation.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the senior officer had a "very, very distinguished" career and that the memo incident had been "extremely unfortunate".He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the senior officer had a "very, very distinguished" career and that the memo incident had been "extremely unfortunate".
The mayor confirmed Assistant Commissioner John Yates would replace Mr Quick as head of counter-terrorism.The mayor confirmed Assistant Commissioner John Yates would replace Mr Quick as head of counter-terrorism.
A man was arrested at Liverpool John Moores UniversityA man was arrested at Liverpool John Moores University
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson paid tribute to Mr Quick who he said had "served with dedication and professionalism throughout his career".Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson paid tribute to Mr Quick who he said had "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 said."I hold Bob in the highest regard, as a friend and colleague, and that opinion has not changed," he said.
In a statement, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she had been informed of Mr Quick's resignation by Sir Paul.In a statement, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she had been informed of Mr Quick's resignation by Sir Paul.
"Although the operation was successful, he felt that his position was untenable. I want to offer my sincere appreciation of all the outstanding work he has done in this role," she said."Although the operation was successful, he felt that his position was untenable. I want to offer my sincere appreciation of all the outstanding work he has done in this role," she said.
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said resigning was "the right thing to do".Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said resigning was "the right thing to do".
"The bit I don't understand is, why on earth a document like this is not locked in a briefcase as a matter of routine? I'd have just thought it would be blindingly obvious.""The bit I don't understand is, why on earth a document like this is not locked in a briefcase as a matter of routine? I'd have just thought it would be blindingly obvious."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne agreed that such a "misjudgement" meant Mr Quick had to step down.Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne agreed that such a "misjudgement" meant Mr Quick had to step down.
Eleven of those arrested in the police anti-terror operation are Pakistan-born nationals on student visas and one is a UK-born British national. Their ages range from a teenager to a 41-year-old, police said.