Danger Close Read Free

eyebrow.
    ‘All the way, ma’am?’
    She nodded. ‘All the way. They have gone too far this time. Personally I feel the sooner they’re all put out to pasture and the whole thing is outsourced to G4S, the better, as far as I’m concerned.’
    She barked a harsh laugh. Christ, this was like a briefing from Good Queen Bess. We’d better not screw up.
    There was a knock at the door. The Home Secretary looked up and beamed. ‘Philip! Come in!’
    And in walked the Defence Secretary, and that made a full house. Both our nominal bosses were in the room. This was getting serious. He strode straight up to the Colonel and gave him the full grip and grin. ‘David. How’s Sandra? Let’s talk about RPOC, shall we?’
    Again, the politician-gaze settled and focused on me. We’d actually met, some time back. ‘Hello Riz.’
    We shook. Good memory on the man. No more fripperies. Phil delved into his carry case and produced some folders, which he handed out. They had a black diagonal band on the cover and the title “Resistance and Psychological Operations Committee Re-Spiral”.
    I had no idea what a Re-Spiral was. I supposed some bright spark in the Defence Secretary’s team had felt like slipping some new jargon in. I opened my folder. Page one started off with-
     
    “ TOP SECRET / CODEWORD / FLINTLOCK
    Counter Extremism Measures
    JS 449 N / K / 34
     
    Army Combat Development Committee .
    A meeting was held at the Ministry Of Defence ( in Horseguards ), in conference room 5 , Tuesday 18 September 2012 .
    The meeting discussed a 'Table Of Circumstances And Typical Military Response On Request From Civil Authority' .
    Ref ACDC / F ( 12 ) B 18 SEPT 2012
    The report formed part of their studies on Counter Extremism Operations and Military Aid to the Civil Power . These may include :
    1 . Threat Circumstance
    2 . Typical Military Response
    3. Military Aid to other Government Departments .
    Military Aid to other Government Departments ( MAGD ) covers assistance provided by the Armed Forces on urgent work of national importance or in maintaining supplies and services essential to the life , health and safety of the community . MAGD is controlled under orders made under section 2 of the Emergency Powers Act 1964 .
    4 . Military Aid to the Civil Power .
    Military Aid to the Civil Power encompasses the provision of military assistance ( armed if necessary ) in its maintenance of law , order and public safety using specialist capabilities or equipment in situations beyond the capability of the Civil Power .
    5 . Threat Assessment and Dissemination .
    5 . ( a ) MOD Counter Extremist Advisory Group .
     
    Within MOD , the CEAG is the focus for all counter terrorist and extremist matters in UK , excluding NI . The main purpose of CEAG is to receive and consider assessed intelligence on current or future terrorist and extremist activity from both indigenous and international threats which are of concern to defence interests world - wide . CEAG usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month and issues an extremist threat assessment signal . Should any new intelligence become available or terrorist incidents occur between the regular meetings , the CEAG would meet in special session . All members of the CEAG are on call at all times .
     
    5 . ( b ) Warnings .
    Warnings are passed to the Defence Crisis Management Centre ( DCMC ). DCMC informs the CEAG Secretary who arranges for a reassessment to be made by members of the CEAG if required . The DCMC disseminates any change in the Alert State to the MOD on authority of the chairman of the CEAG . In the event of immediate danger to life , the DCMC Duty Officer may issue instructions on his own .”
     
    Wow. Someone had been busy.
    The Defence Secretary broke the silence.
    ‘We’re not talking Wilson coup plots or anything of that type. It’s just come to the point where the police are proving a hindrance and we need free rein to get on with the mission. As of today, RPOC is