***
Slattery got the call he expected, it wasn’t pleasant. Garside had already been given the news and he was enraged. The new Commissioner did not fully understand the relationship between Henry Mason and their mutual boss but was alert to the fact that Mason had the First Minister’s ear.
During the briefing by DS Walters, Slattery asked, a little naively, ‘We do not know who was responsible but do we know why they would attack these particular locations?’
Frank Walters had been around the block and knew exactly why the targets had been selected. ‘We know there is an ongoing operation to integrate information that is held in different systems on every citizen in the country. The State believes that it will provide help where it is most needed in targeting aid, employment, health and education.’
‘That sounds laudable to me Frank, why on earth would anyone want to prevent that?’
The experienced DS was faintly embarrassed by his new boss’s naivety. ‘As you know, Sir, the Data Protection Act was taken off the statute books some time ago and so it has allowed this data integration. The group responsible for the attacks clearly believe it is a further threat to freedom and democracy and may be used to target them. I can’t think of another reason for it. It also fits in with the previous incidents that we can attribute to them.’
The Commissioner realising his lack of savvy, cleared his throat, ‘Ok DS what do I take to the First Minister?’
The full report threw no new light on the insurgent group except that now there appeared to be more of them and they were very well organised.
The Commissioner arrived at Downing Street with great trepidation.
Garside was furious. He shouted, spluttered, thumped the desk and generally berated everyone involved with security. ‘I want these people found and put out of action Commissioner. I am holding you personally responsible for seeing to it that they are identified, caught and dealt with appropriately. Do I make myself clear Mr Slattery?’
‘Yes, indeed Sir, my force is working flat out on it.’
‘I sincerely hope so Commissioner, I’ve already had one Chief of Police demonstrate that he wasn’t up to the job.’
Mark Slattery was shocked by the slur against his deceased predecessor and it worried him greatly as he returned to his office.
In the privacy of his office, Garside turned to Mason, ‘how far has this set us back Henry and who the hell is behind it?’
‘It’s devastating, Tony, not only has the backup been destroyed the source data will have to be re-collected and the whole process started from scratch. I cannot predict how long that might take, but we have a team working on it right now. As to who; we still think it’s a group of renegade police. They have too much inside information for it not to be.’
‘Find them, Henry, bloody well find them.’
John Judge Page 26