Britains most senior black policewoman poised to head Scotland Yards counter-terrorism Squad

Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan is the front runner to take over from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, as the chief of Scotland Yards counter-terrorism squad.

London, Oct.6 : Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan is the front runner to take over from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, as the chief of Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism squad.

Clarke is retiring after being five years on the job.

An authoritative source said that Gallan has some powerful admirers within the Met and appears to be at the front of the queue."

The 125,000 pound-a-year head of SO15 Counter Terrorism Command acts as national co-ordinator in charge of the fight against al-Qaeda. The successful candidate will be appointed by the Met in consultation with security organisations and after approval by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

Lanarkshire-born Ms Gallan, a qualified barrister, started on the beat in London's East End in 1987.

She moved to the CID and tackled sieges and kidnaps as a trained negotiator before moving to Criminal Intelligence Branch, running informers. Gallan later became staff officer to then Deputy Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, acting as his "eyes and ears" at the Yard.

In January 2005, she was appointed ACC to the National Crime Squad, in charge of undercover policing.

Later that year, she moved to Merseyside where she is now supervising the investigation into the gun murder of Rhys Jones, 11.

According to The Mirror, before moving to Merseyside, Gallan was mugged outside her home by two thugs who she chased after they beat her to the floor.

Despite being tipped for the top, she has played down her background.

Speaking after her appointment, she said: "When it comes being the first black woman ACC, it's not something I think about. I just want to do a good job."

She has a Master's degree in Criminology from Cambridge University and was awarded the Queen's Police Medal last year.

Women have held crucial roles in counter-terrorism. Dame Stella Rimmington and Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller both served as Director General of MI5.

ANI