Defence: ‘Counter Terrorism Strategy in the UK: Are We Winning?’ – Tuesday 6th July 2010

Charles Farr

Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism at the Home Office

Charles Farr was appointed Director General of the newly-formed Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office in June 2007. Charles joined the Diplomatic Service in 1985 and has served at British Embassies in South Africa and Jordan. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2002 Christmas Honours list for his service overseas for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Since 2003, he has held a number of senior posts across Whitehall concerned with Security and Counter Terrorism. As Director General of OSCT, Charles is the senior official responsible for the UK counter terrorist strategy, CONTEST. OSCT was established as part of changes to the machinery of Government in March 2007. It now employs some 500 staff across 6 Directorates. OSCT co-ordinates the development, direction and implementation of CONTEST; delivers parts of the strategy which directly fall to the Home Office; oversees, on behalf of the Home Secretary, the Security Service and Police counter terrorist work; and (since January 2009), is responsible for the £600 million Olympic Security Programme.

Charles Farr, Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism at the Home Office, was our July guest lecturer. Addressing the question, ‘Counter Terrorism Strategy in the UK: Are We Winning?’, he outlined the nature and structure of the security threat facing the UK, but pointed out that the lack of any structure is part of the threat. In answer to the question, he recognized that there had been success in disrupting the threat and preventing loss of life through terrorist attacks, but he was less optimistic about the extent to which the threat had been removed or reduced. This event took place under the Chatham House Rule and thus there is no transcript available.

http://www.globalstrategyforum.org/articleshow.asp?ref=87