The Keepers of the Persian Gate (26 page)

***

Paddy got off the train at Hyde Park Corner. In order to avoid the main roads, Paddy cut through Hyde Park to get to the barracks. He called Maxi on his mobile as he reached the perimeter fence and Maxi arranged for Paddy to be let in via a side entrance to the barracks. Maxi personally met him at the entrance and took him into the base.

“Where’s Catherine?” asked Paddy.

“Who?” asked Maxi.

“Please tell me Catherine made it here,” said Paddy.

“Paddy, I don’t know who you’re talking about!” said Maxi.

It turned out that Catherine had been recognised by the taxi driver of the taxi she had picked up outside King’s Cross. He took her to a nearby police station and she was arrested. When Morgan arrived at the base, he informed Paddy that MI5 had already learned of her arrest and had arrived at Islington police station, allegedly to conduct an interview.

When the full complement of the ISC had arrived and Chairman Dyke had opened the meeting, Paddy stood up to deliver his update to the Committee.

“Gentlemen and Lady. As you will be aware, I left this Committee some five days ago with a remit to ascertain the extent of the security breach within Sefton & Grey and MI5. Since that time, I have learned that the extent of the infiltration goes much further. Whilst I have not had time to prepare a formal report, I will start by simply informing you that we are now operating in some of the most dangerous times this country has ever faced.

“I have seven main recommendations for the Committee to adopt:

“1, that the Committee recommend to Scotland Yard that the current threat level of a terrorist attack against a major target in the UK be changed from yellow, that is substantial, to red, that being critical;

“2, contrary to the European Convention of Human Rights, and fundamental principles of European law, the Committee will recommend the special use of the Queen’s Royal Prerogative to order the law firms Sefton & Grey and Dunlop & McLaine to cease their business with all existing and new clients with immediate effect pending a further investigation into their respective activities;

“3, that the Committee will again recommend the special use of the Queen’s Royal Prerogative to place all members of staff at the law firms Sefton & Grey and Dunlop & McLaine under house arrest pending the result of an investigation by this committee into their conduct;

“4, that the Committee recommend the use of the Royal Military Police to arrest the Cabinet Secretary, Sir David Wood;

“5, that the Committee order a direct breach of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court and order the Army to secretly transport a witness in the Abdullah Atwah trial, that being the prisoner of the International Criminal Court, known as the Mechanic, to Ascension Island and grant him supervised asylum there for life;

“6, that the Committee out of its own funds provide payment to that witness in the amount of €20 million; and,

“7, that Catherine Simpson, arrested for the murder of Sir Mark Glover be granted the Royal Pardon with immediate effect and taken into the protection of this barracks.”

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.

“No, but there is a real possibility that your government has been invaded. And it is my opinion that you would be justified on that basis to order this action,” replied Paddy.

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.