Bob Quick apologises to Conservative Party

Assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Bob Quick, has apologised for accusing the Conservative Party of undermining his investigation into frontbencher Damian Green, but serious doubt has now been cast over his chances of ever becoming commissioner.

The comments made by Mr Quick before Christmas 2008 accused the Conservative Party of acting “in a wholly corrupt way” by undermining the investigation into Mr Green and planting a news story that endangered his family.

Mr Quick was reported in the article published by The Mail on Sunday as saying: “The Tory machinery and their press friends are mobilised against this investigation.

“I think it is a very spiteful act, possibly to intimidate me away from investigating Mr Green, and I feel it has put my family at risk.”

Tory members have expressed concerns that Mr Quick’s behaviour has “raised serious questions” about his suitability as a senior police officer. Mr Quick had applied for the role of commissioner of the Met but was not shortlisted. He may still apply for the role of deputy commissioner should Sir Paul Stephenson take on the role of commissioner permanently.

Shortly after making his statement Mr Quick retracted it saying: “I have now reflected on the comments I made yesterday at a difficult time for me and my family. I wish to make clear that it was not my intention to make any allegations, and retract my comments. I apologise unreservedly for any offence or embarrassment that I have caused.”

Tory leader David Cameron described Mr Quick’s allegations as “completely baseless”. He told London’s LBC Radio: “I can absolutely guarantee that the Conservative Party had nothing to do with the publication of this story.

“So I think Bob Quick should withdraw what is a completely baseless allegation. I am sure he will want to do so because in life, if you make a mistake, the best thing to do is to correct it as quickly as you can and that’s what he ought to do.”

In an official statement Mr Quick said: “I regret and wish to retract my comment regarding corruption.

“The comment was made as I was in the act of having to move my family out of our home to a place of safety following the article in The Mail on Sunday.”

The Conservative Party has since accepted Mr Quick’s apology and acting commissioner for the Met, Sir Paul Stephenson, has said this has brought an end to the matter.

“Now that Mr Quick has clarified his comments and there is an acceptance of his apology, I am pleased that a line has now been drawn under this matter.

“Mr Quick and his team in specialist operations do an excellent job in a challenging environment and they will continue to do so.

“The terrorist threat to this country remains very real and we must not allow ourselves to become distracted by these events.”

But despite the apparent acceptance of Mr Quick’s apology, Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve has said Mr Quick should reflect on whether he could credibly continue to lead a Whitehall investigation and that Mr Quick’s role in the Damian Green probe is a matter he should discuss professionally with his colleagues and should not be speculated on.

Mr Grieve went on to tell Radio 4’s World At One: “I think really it is for Mr Quick to reflect whether the remarks he`s made or his emotions in this matter might disqualify him for continuing the investigation against Damian Green.”

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, however, has defended Mr Quick’s comment: “I know Mr Quick has now retracted some of the things that he said and I think the most important thing is that he is able to get on with the job of keeping this country safe – which is what he does day in, day out, as our most senior counter-terror police officer.”

Mr Quick was appointed as assistant commissioner ‘specialist operations’ for the Met in March 2008. He is responsible for counter terrorism, security and protection and is chair of the Association of Chief Police Officers – Terrorism an