Fed: Keelty says he came close to quitting

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2004
Fed: Keelty says he came close to quitting

Australia's top cop says he came close to quitting after the government questioned his integrity.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner MICK KEELTY came under fire from the prime minister
and other senior ministers last month when he said it was likely the Madrid bombings were
linked to Spain's involvement in Iraq -- and so Australia was also at greater risk.

Mr KEELTY has told Sydney radio 2UE he questioned whether it was worth continuing in
the role following the rebuke from Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD.

But Mr KEELTY says that once the government reassured him he had their support, he
decided to stay on.

AAP RTV sal/mj/rt

KEYWORD: KEELTY (SYDNEY)

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