BBC : Reaction to Bob Quick resignation

Reaction to Bob Quick resignation

April 9, 2009

The resignation of Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, has prompted plenty of reaction.

He left his post after being photographed with a secret document on show when he arrived for a Downing Street briefing.

This led to an anti-terror operation being brought forward.

BORIS JOHNSON, MAYOR OF LONDON

"I think it's greatly to his credit that he recognised the seriousness of the lapse that took place yesterday."

"Bob Quick has done a first-class job in keeping people safe not just in London but across the country and I have every confidence in his successor, John Yates."

JACQUI SMITH, HOME SECRETARY

"Although the operation was successful, [Bob Quick] felt that his position was untenable.

"I want to offer my sincere appreciation of all the outstanding work he has done in this role."

AFZAL KHAN, COUNCILLOR IN CHEETHAM, MANCHESTER

"I think it's sad, really. We have lost a very capable and senior officer for a momentary lapse. It is difficult with all this modern technology.

"I think primarily it is probably a case of his mind was focusing on going into No 10 giving the prime minister a briefing and he was caught out by long lenses.

"He will probably think, with hindsight, what a stupid thing to do."

KEN LIVINGSTONE, FORMER LONDON MAYOR

"Clearly Bob Quick had made a ridiculous error. Whether it justified him being forced out... I think al-Qaeda will be celebrating, we will have had three senior officers in charge of counter-terrorism in the space of about a year.

"I think a lot of people find it odd that we have not had the suspension of the police officer who was clearly seen assaulting Mr (Ian) Tomlinson, an act of violence, but here a... distinguished officer with a whole career of public service is forced out on a relatively minor error and by a political establishment who are mired in scandals of the abuse of expenses to the tunes of tens of thousands of pounds.

"I think a lot of people think if this is the only person who has been forced out, then we have got our priorities wrong."

SIR KEN JONES, ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS

"Those charged with the leadership of counter-terrorism operations shoulder, on our behalf, immense responsibilities, from which Bob Quick has not shirked.

"The Acpo counter-terrorism network goes from strength to strength, as does the Metropolitan counter-terror command.

"He has orchestrated and led a number of critical counter-terror operations over the past year or so and we are all the safer for that.

"Bob Quick has an equally impressive record of delivery and achievement in general policing over many years.

"Chief officers will want to wish him well in whatever he now chooses to do."

CHRIS GRAYLING, SHADOW HOME SECRETARY

"[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."

CHRIS HUHNE, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT HOME AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN

"This was the right decision from Bob Quick. He resigned from a position of great responsibility in an honourable way.

"This should be a lesson to his political masters when they commit similar misjudgements and mistakes."