Paddy then went on at length to explain each point. Despite his certainty that Sefton & Grey should be temporarily closed and investigated, his decision to recommend the same for Dunlop & McLaine was a difficult one. He felt as though he was betraying them. However, in his position with the ISC he couldn’t allow personal allegiances to compromise his judgment. Dunlop & McLaine had been infiltrated and that was all there was to it.
Although he doubted whether the depth of the rot went as far as the Prime Minister, there was no guarantee that this was not the case. With circumstances as they were, Paddy had every reason to believe that the Cabinet Secretary was in on the Clarkson Conspiracy. Being Britain’s most Senior Civil Servant, and given that the Cabinet Secretary occupied such a controlling position over the British Government, it was essential that the Government’s power was cut off in this matter with immediate effect. The only way to get around that was for the Queen to intervene.
Paddy had invited Maxi into the meeting to outline a military scenario. It just happened to be the case that to promote London in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games, a rerun of the Trooping of the Colour was due to take place that afternoon within Horseguards Parade. The Trooping of the Colour was a ceremony performed by various regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies. Horseguards Parade itself was the historic epicentre of power in Westminster and the Rose Garden at Downing Street backed onto it. Maxi’s ingenious scenario actually stemmed from a report which Winston Churchill had drawn up during the Second World War in the event that a coup was ever launched against his government.
Given the highly controversial nature of these recommendations and the constitutional questions they posed, a significant debate ensued amongst the Committee. Morgan noted that not since the days of Charles I and the subsequent takeover of Parliament by Oliver Cromwell had the workings of government been put to the test in such a manner. Indeed, not since the days of Queen Anne in the eighteenth century had a monarch of Great Britain used the Royal Prerogative to overrule their own government.
After over an hour and a half of discussion, the Committee resolved to adopt most of Paddy’s recommendations with the exception of those relating to Catherine’s pardon and the deal with the Mechanic. Paddy knew when he made those promises to the Mechanic that he was going out on a limb and it would be difficult to secure agreement from the ISC. The Trooping would begin at 1500 hours, so time was precious. It was agreed that Paddy would travel with James Dyke and Morgan to Buckingham Palace immediately for an audience with the Queen. To that end, Maxi explained that there was a secret tunnel between the palace and the barracks.
Dyke spoke to the Queen’s Private Secretary, Viscount Fleming, and set up an urgent meeting. After that, Paddy, Dyke and Morgan left for the Palace immediately. The tunnel had a low ceiling which ascended into an arch and the trio regularly had to duck to avoid banging their heads. Fortunately, Buckingham Palace was a mere half mile away so they arrived in less than ten minutes. They were greeted at the entrance by the Private Secretary as well as two of the Queen’s Guard complete with hats, rifles and bayonets. They both stood perfectly to attention. However, as Paddy passed them, the female guard gave him a wink.
They were led up the grand staircase and Viscount Brennan explained the etiquette for meeting the Queen. “You will bow. For men this is a neck bow, of the head only. Upon my presentation of you to the Queen, the correct formal address is ‘Your Majesty’ and subsequently ‘Ma’am’. Oh and one more thing, you do not touch the Queen. Handshakes are permitted only if she offers it.”
The trio were then taken to the first floor audience chamber in the private apartments of the North Wing. The Private Secretary knocked and opened the double doors. There standing at the far end of the room was the Queen. Paddy could feel her aura and presence immediately. Both Morgan and Dyke, being politicians, were accustomed to meeting with the Queen. Paddy, on the other hand, was bricking it.
“Your Majesty. I present to you the Right Honourable Lord Ballintoy, Rear Admiral James Dyke MP; the Right Honourable Morgan Wright MP; and Captain Patrick Trimble,” announced Viscount Brennan.
“Thank you, Henry,” replied the Queen.
The three men each bowed in turn and then walked towards the Queen and bowed again.
“Please be seated,” said the Queen.
The trio sat down as if it were an order. It was, Paddy supposed; after all she was the Head of State.
“Would you care for tea?” asked the Queen.
Dyke looked at Morgan and Paddy gravely, and then turned back to the Queen. “I’m afraid we haven’t come here for tea, Your Majesty. We’ve come here on perhaps the most important business of modern times,” stated Dyke.
“I see. Please tell me of the situation,” replied the Queen.
“Well, as you will be aware, Your Majesty, I am chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament which oversees the work of the Government and all branches and agencies thereof relating to intelligence matters. Captain Trimble here has uncovered an infiltration by a foreign enemy organisation within your government.”
“What… type… of infiltration?” asked the Queen.
“Well…” Dyke began.
***
James, Morgan and Paddy each went about briefing the Queen on the nature of the issue. The briefing lasted for over an hour. She was completely horrified to learn of what had being going on.
“What would you have me do?” asked the Queen.
“Use your Royal Prerogative, Ma’am,” said Paddy.
“I can’t do that, Mr. Trimble. I’m not allowed,” replied the Queen.
“Actually Ma’am, you are,” replied Paddy as he pulled out a folder containing various statutes and old Acts of Parliament. He produced to her copies of the original Act of Settlement which was passed by Parliament in 1701 and the Reform Act of 1867.
“Your Majesty. Your powers to exercise the Royal Prerogative are of a feudal nature. They derive from as far back as the Magna Carta. Ever since the Bill of Rights in 1688, statutes have gradually eroded your prerogative. Historically, your prerogative was the undefined residue of power which you are required to use for the public good. So whatever statute has not removed from your remit remains in your power. After years of both secrecy and confusion, the Labour Government published guidance in 2004 outlining your powers. Most importantly, it grants you the power to command the Armed Forces in this country for military purposes.”
“Mr. Trimble. Whilst I appreciate your knowledge on this matter, I am fully aware of my powers. There have been conventions in place since the early eighteenth century which delegate those powers to my government,” said the Queen.
“Yes Ma’am. But that is all they are…conventions. Only a statute or Act of Parliament can officially remove your power. On paper, you command the Armed Forces,” replied Paddy.
“Even if I were to use my power, Mr. Trimble, what makes you think that the army would obey? Can you personally vouch for all of the officers in the British Army?” asked the Queen.
“No. But I can vouch for one, and that’s all we need. Colonel Maxwell of Hyde Park Barracks,” replied Paddy.
Paddy went onto divulge the Colonel’s plan regarding the seizing of Downing Street. The Queen was quite uncomfortable, initially. However, when Paddy went on to explain that it had derived from a plan drawn up by Winston Churchill’s government, she relaxed a bit.
“I suppose the real question would be, am I justified in using my power in this instance?” asked the Queen.
“Well, that’s the thing, Ma’am. The courts have set out in detail precisely when you would and would not be justified to do so. In the House of Lords case of Re Petition of Right in 1915, their Lordships held that the use of the Royal Prerogative to seize a commercial airfield for military purposes would only be justified if an invasion was a real possibility,” explained Paddy.
“But we’re not getting invaded any time soon, are we gentlemen?” the Queen asked rhetorically.
The Queen stood up and walked over to a desk bureau in the corner of the room. Pulling out a piece of paper, she began jotting something down on it. “Mr. Churchill was my first Prime Minister. I wonder what he would say if he were here,” said the Queen ponderously. The trio looked at her attentively, awaiting her next move. She smiled. “Strange isn’t it. My first Prime Minister drew up this plan. Now, at nearly the end of this reign, something like this occurs. I don’t believe in coincidences, gentlemen.”
“Of course, Ma’am,” replied Paddy.
They waited for another minute in complete silence. The tension was palpable. It was now nearly 1400 hours and the Trooping of the Colour would be taking place in just over an hour.
The Queen turned. “I have come to my decision on this matter,” she stated authoritatively.
The Queen carefully folded the piece of Buckingham Palace letterhead and placed it within an envelope. She lifted out some wax and stamped the envelope with the actual Royal Seal of Approval. The Queen then stood up and approached the three men, who stood to attention. She handed the envelope to Paddy.
“Mr. Trimble. In that envelope are Colonel Maxwell’s orders. I wish him to place them into effect immediately,” stated the Queen.
“Very good, your Majesty,” said Paddy.
The trio bowed and slowly reversed out of the room.
“Oh and gentlemen, one more thing. You did the right thing in coming to me,” said the Queen.
“Thank you, your Majesty, ” said each of the trio in tandem.
***
At 1445 hours, the Royal Artillery moved into position. They had set up shop at the bottom of Horseguards, lining up three cannons from the Boer War which would be the showpiece of the ceremony. However, behind those Colonel Maxwell had ordered the placement of two L118 Light Guns which would be set up as if they would form part of the ceremony. However, there was absolutely nothing light about them. They were just about some of the most powerful artillery guns in the arsenal of the British Army and their sound would deafen anyone in close vicinity if they were not wearing special ear defenders.
The seating was also hastily rearranged in such a manner that Dyke sat next to the Prime Minister and the Queen. At the commencement of the ceremony, Dyke began to carefully and calmly explain to the Prime Minister what was happening. The Prime Minister could do nothing. News cameras from across the world were watching. All he could do was listen.
Meanwhile, a cavalry unit rode to the front doors of Downing Street. A false communication was issued that this was a public relations stunt. The press team at Downing Street were informed that the unit were just back from deployment in Afghanistan and upon the Prime Minister’s return they would be greeted in a photo opportunity.
Once inside the building, the cavalry unit were taken on a tour. When they hit the stairs, one of the cavalrymen sent a signal to the Artillery guns to begin firing. The sound of the L118s made everyone stand up and take notice. That was the signal for a unit of Gurkhas to scale the walls behind a stand which backed onto the famous Rose Garden to the immediate rear of Downing Street. The Gurkhas encountered resistance from MI5 but they had been trained to deal with it. The television cameras were not paying attention at this stage, as the cannons were still firing off rounds, including the hugely powerful L118 Light Guns which deafened the sound of any gunfire proceeding in the background.
The cavalry unit then proceeded to take control of Downing Street from the inside, placing the Cabinet Secretary under house arrest. Meanwhile the Gurkhas covertly secured the perimeter. The police guarding the front of Downing Street didn’t even know what was going on.
The Cabinet Secretary was livid, screaming treason at the top of his voice. A major ordered him to clear the Prime Minister’s diary for the rest of the weekend: “no meetings and no audiences.”
Upon the very nervous Prime Minister’s return, the cavalrymen exited Downing Street to pose for a photograph with the Prime Minister in front of the British media. As the cavalry mounted their horses to leave Downing Street, the Gurkhas assumed control of the building. When the Prime Minister entered the building and the front door of No. 10 was shut, he was arrested and placed in confinement alongside the Cabinet Secretary.
Chapter 16
The Privy Court
IN THE EARLY HOURS OF SUNDAY, 14 August 2011, the Royal Military Police systematically seized control of the law firms Dunlop & McLaine and Sefton & Grey. All Partners and employees were tracked down and assigned an armed guard who would keep them under house arrest during the rest of the weekend. A significant amount of manpower was required to carry out the exercise.
Meanwhile, Downing Street remained under the firm control of the Gurkha regiment, which through Colonel Maxwell was being effectively controlled and isolated, acting on orders from the Queen. The Cabinet Secretary had successfully managed to keep visitors away from Downing Street for a period of just over fifteen hours.
Late on the Saturday afternoon, Judge Brennan had submitted an emergency special request to the ICC to have the Mechanic brought to the UK without delay. The Mechanic himself had not seen or received any confirmation that money had been transferred to him for his services in the trial. Moreover, he had not received anything in writing to assure him that following the trial he would be secretly transferred to Ascension Island to live a new life. Both were preconditions of the deal to bring him in to the Atwah trial. Without this confirmation, Paddy was keenly aware of the possibility that the Keepers of the Persian Gate might attempt an attack in transit.
Consequently, Paddy recommended to the judicial unit transferring the Mechanic that the British Army provide a military escort. To be on the safe side, the escort involved over one hundred servicemen. No police whatsoever were allowed to be involved in the Mechanic’s transport.
At approximately 0700 hours, the Mechanic was placed into the custody of the Governor of Belmarsh. To maintain the necessary effect of secrecy, the armed escort retreated to Woolwich barracks, a short distance from the courts. Nothing could give the game away that a trial was running that weekend. Instead, a small but elite force of prison officers and ICC guards patrolled the courts.
Paddy had arrived at Belmarsh himself at 0600 hours, travelling from Woolwich station by taxi. When he exited the train station, he noticed the remains of a burnt-out bus, a victim of the riots earlier that week. Woolwich Crown Courts was quite a desolate place, set far back from the road. Paddy thought to himself that it resembled something like you would expect to find on an industrial estate, or perhaps an airport, minus the planes and hustle and bustle.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Belmarsh had earned a formidable reputation as the toughest prison in the country. It was used by the British government in the early 2000s as a venue for the indefinite detention without trial of terrorist suspects under Part 4 of the Anti Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Those provisions were later repealed following an outcry in Parliament. Despite this, the prison continued to instil discipline with numerous unorthodox techniques. A recent report by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons noted the ‘excessive’ amount of force utilised by prison guards.
Upon arrival, Paddy reluctantly surrendered his sidearm to security and was taken to a secure wing of Belmarsh. Ordinarily, there was a separate public entrance. However, the front doors of the courts themselves remained firmly shut as it was a weekend. Therefore, on this particular day, entry to the courts would be made through Belmarsh and a secure underground tunnel.
On his way to meet the defence barrister, Colin Hall, Paddy bumped into Tony Morley, who seemed to be struggling to carry the many legal texts he had on his person.
“Those morons at the door took my travel bag off me. Said I had to carry the contents. Can you believe it? I don’t even have my pupil with
me to do all the carrying,” fretted Morley.
Paddy was taken to a secure room. Inside, Colin was busy reading up on the Mechanic.
“So, Mr. Trimble. Good to see you again,” said Colin. The pair shook hands.
“I hear our star witness has arrived…?” asked Paddy.
“Indeed. I haven’t met him yet, but I’ve spent most of the night reading up on him,” stated Colin.
“Did you get any sleep? You look like absolute shit,” said Paddy.
“‘Fraid not. Sleep was something I left behind long before marriage and joining the bar,” replied Colin.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Colin, the prosecution’s Code 4 witness had also arrived by helicopter into the main yard earlier that morning. The Governor had personally granted the Code 4 use of his luxurious apartment ahead of the trial. Given that the Code 4 was a witness for the prosecution, Paddy felt that it would be inappropriate to divulge his involvement in the trial to Colin. In a conventional scenario, witness statements would have been exchanged long before the trial. However, this being a secret court, Special Measures would be adopted to conceal the Code 4’s identity. This included the Code 4 speaking from behind a curtain. On the flip side, the same principles would be granted for the Mechanic.
There was a knock on the door and in walked the Prison Governor. “The judge says it will be forty-five minutes before he convenes the Privy Court, gentlemen.”
“Thank you,” replied Colin. “Right, it looks like it’s time to go and speak to your Swiss chum.”
The pair were taken a short distance down the corridor to a secure holding cell. There was the Mechanic. He had been placed inside a straitjacket and the walls were padded. Colin was furious.
“Governor, remove this straitjacket immediately. What sort of barbaric practices do you get up to here? Get this man a suit now.”
“What size?” asked the Governor.
Colin turned to the Mechanic. “Well?”
“38 jacket. 32 in the waist, please,” said the Mechanic.
The Keepers of the Persian Gate Page 21