Politice

I've got a full inbox but couldn't help clicking and reading the police statement on the alleged terrorist plot. I've so many other thing which need doing but it's just irresistible.

It was read out by Peter Clarke, the deputy Assistant Commissioner. It begins:

This is the first time we have been able to release information about the progress of the investigation, since the morning of the arrests on 10th August.

Not a good start then. DAC Clarke wants us to believe that all the leaks surrounding the investigation were delivered to the press by the magic leak fairy. Not sure I'm buying that.

Then, would you believe it, he goes on to confirm that the leaks were right on the money. The police now officially say they have found bomb making equipment and martyrdom videos. Lucky guesses perhaps?

Anyway, again, even though the chances of a potential jurist reading this are slim to none, let's stick to the principles of our society here.

I will say just say one thing in a general sense. I do not deny that there is a very real threat of terrorism in this country. Very few people do. But I also distrust this government intensely and for good reason. Remember that the culture of this government produced this email on the afternoon of September 11th 2001:

It's now a very good day to get out anything we want to bury. Councillors' expenses?

These people will use anything and everything for their own political advantage. My distrust of their every word and motive should not be mistaken for an attempt to deny that the threat is real.

Let's move on:

[T]he investigation is far from complete. The scale is immense. Enquiries will span the globe. The enormity of the alleged plot will be matched only by our determination to follow every lead and line of enquiry.

I shall try to give you an idea of the size and complexity of this investigation.

There have been 69 searches. These have been in houses, flats and business premises, vehicles and open spaces.

As well as the bomb making equipment, we have found more than 400 computers, 200 mobile telephones and 8,000 items of removable storage media such as memory sticks, CDs and DVDs. So far, from the computers alone, we have removed some 6,000 gigabytes of data. The meticulous investigation of all this material will take many months. All the data will be analysed.

There will be thousands of forensic examinations and comparisons. Fingerprints, DNA, electronic data, handwriting comparisons, chemical analysis, and indeed the full range of forensic disciplines will be used.

In other words, 90 DAYS! 90 DAYS! 90 DAYS!

If we just disbanded parliament, the police could take all these decisions for themselves without those interfering politicians getting in the way. It'd be far more efficient.

But wait, what's this?

I would like to reassure the public that we are doing everything we can to keep you safe, for you to live your lives without being in constant fear.

But, but, but, but that's remarkably sane and sensible. That's exactly the sort of thing our coppers should be saying, not all that hysterical stuff about "mass murder on an unimaginable scale". Much better... oh hang on, he's not finished:

However, we must be realistic. The threat from terrorism is real, it is here, it is deadly and it is enduring. As we all look for explanations, we cannot afford to be complacent and ignore the reality of what we face.

Normal service has been resumed. Can't have anyone feeling too secure, now can we?

Tags: News, Politics, Terrorism