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Police chief quits over blunder Police chief quits over blunder
(10 minutes later)
Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer has resigned after his security blunder forced an anti-terror operation to be brought forward. Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer has resigned after making a security blunder which caused an anti-terror operation to be brought forward.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick quit after he inadvertently revealed secret papers to photographers when arriving for a briefing at No 10. Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick inadvertently revealed secret papers to photographers when arriving for a Downing Street briefing on Wednesday.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said it was "with great sadness" that he had accepted his resignation. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said it was "with great sadness" that he had accepted senior officer's resignation.
Twelve men are in custody after the raids in north-west England. Twelve men were detained in raids in Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire.
Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Quick had a "very, very distinguished" career and that the incident had been "extremely unfortunate".Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Quick had a "very, very distinguished" career and that the incident had been "extremely unfortunate".
There had been no witch hunt or effort to hound him out, he said.There had been no witch hunt or effort to hound him out, he said.
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.
The senior officer had faced intense criticism from opposition politicians after revealing the confidential document to photographers after arriving for a Downing Street briefing.The senior officer had faced intense criticism from opposition politicians after revealing the confidential document to photographers after arriving for a Downing Street briefing.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The memo, marked "secret", carried an outline briefing on an on-going counter-terrorism operation.The memo, marked "secret", carried an outline briefing on an on-going counter-terrorism 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.
In a statement, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she had been informed of Mr Quick's resignation by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.
"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.