UK police chief denies terror warnings are `scaremongering`
IRNA
London, Dec 30, IRNA -- Britain`s top anti-terrorism officer Peter Clarke Tuesday denied claims that warnings about terrorist attacks were `scaremongering.` The Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said it would be irresponsible not to issue warnings. "I make no excuses for informing the public, as far as I can, of the reality of what we face," he insisted. Clarke told the unusual step of writing to the Times newspaper following an article by the daily`s veteran columnist, Simon Jenkins, accused the government of deliberately `scaremongering.` Last year, he said the government had the excuse of the impending war against Iraq to "scare me witless." But following the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Prime Minister Tony Blair owes the nation a "reassurance dividend," he said. In his letter, Clarke defended his claim that there had been a quantum leap in terrorist threats from what it was during the IRA campaign in Northern Ireland, by saying there was a serious risk and the police had a duty of care to the people. "Not to issue warnings to the public based on current concerns would be irresponsible," he said, while pointing out that Britons had been killed through terrorism in New York, Bali and Istanbul. "The public can be assured that the Commissioner and I will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to protect them from harm," the deputy assistant commissioner for the anti-terrorist branch said. HC/212 End
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