Cameron's Security Adviser To Stand Down Date: Monday, August 02, 2010 Source: Guardian Unlimited

David Cameron's national security adviser is expected to stand down next year, it has been revealed. Sir Peter Ricketts has indicated he only wants to do the key job for a "limited period". Downing Street denied the departure was connected to controversy over the prime minister's recent remarks criticising Pakistan, insisting that the mandarin only ever intended to oversee the establishment of the government's new National Security Council (NSC). "He is not leaving his post early," a spokeswoman for the prime minister said. "It was always the understanding that he would do it for a limited period." Ricketts, who was previously permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office, is expected to depart in the second half of 2011. There is speculation that he could take over as ambassador in Paris. But officials stressed no decision had been taken over his destination, or on the identity of his successor. Ricketts was appointed as national security adviser when Cameron entered No 10 in May, and has been at the PM's side on all his foreign trips. He is said to have played a key role in shifting the government's approach to Afghanistan, with Cameron publicly suggesting British troops should be out by 2015. Guardian Unlimited Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal