He has already largely excised himself from the regimental community by resigning as president of the Regimental Association He knew he would no longer be welcome He has also now retired from the Army. He is irrelevant.In spite of that, the media this week invented an imaginary "battle" between Sir Peter and the MoD, stressing his "hero" status. Like all SAS officers and men, he knew that side of his life was supposed to be secret. The extraordinary public interest in him during and after the Gulf war was his own doing. According to his son, quoted in 1995, "He lost loads of money in Lloyd's during the Gulf War, so he wrote his book to make some cash."Sir Peter is certainly an expert self-publicist.
His role in the Gulf was not as powerful or influential as he has made out. The British army and air force units were under operational command of the Americans. Sir Peter's role was more that of a very senior liaison officer.There has been indignation that many of those excluded had their books "cleared" by the MoD, as some have protested with an air of wounded innocence "We prefer the word `scrutinised'," one MoD source said "Clearance does not mean approval. Then they went and talked on the radio, helped make the documentary. There is a whole network of contacts out there, which contributes to erosion of security."The MoD has a point. Whereas people who served in the Special Forces in the early days, in the North African desert or the Radfan, wrote their memoirs out of interest or love, the large sums now available have changed the game.
Covertness and secrecy were always conditions of membership of these elite forces. Now that the temptations to renege are greater, the contractual and statutory instruments enforcing adherence to the code need to be stronger.The MoD has relaxed its policy of "we do not discuss Special Forces" a little. Once the books started appearing, the MoD could not deny what was in them "It's a ratchet mechanism," one source said. "Once it clicks forward, you can't go back."Up to now, the MoD has avoided any very damaging disclosures.
Bravo Two Zero was embarrassing because it highlighted the cock-ups which occur in any military operation, thus damaging the SAS mystique and aura of invincibility - not because it compromised secrets. Chris Ryan's book, which presented a different account of the same incident, began a more damaging trend with arguments between individuals. The MoD is uncomfortable with that, but it needs to focus on the things that are really secret.. Behold: a northern star is born. Mark Radcliffe, a radio presenter confined until now to late hours and the acclaim of students and sixth- formers, is to be Radio 1's Breakfast Show replacement for Chris Evans. The usual ration of fame and fortune attached to such a slot has been doubled because of the manner of Evans's going. Up or down, Radcliffe's first set of listening figures will get him on the front pages.