John Scarlett — British Celebrity born on August 18, 1948,

Sir John McLeod Scarlett, KCMG, OBE is a retired British senior intelligence officer. He was Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service from 2004 to 2009. Prior to this appointment, he had chaired the Cabinet Office Joint Intelligence Committee... (wikipedia)

You must never underestimate your opposition.
As a bureaucracy becomes more established, it develops its own career structure. It is less dependent, and should be less dependent, on individual personalities. Absolutely no one is indispensable.
This was a report from a single source. It was an established and reliable line of reporting. It was quoted from a senior Iraqi military officer in a position to know this information.
The skills of the British intelligence community are a great national asset.
I have no inclination to seek attention.