Scotland Yard

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), also known informally as Scotland Yard, is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police. The MPS also has significant national responsibilities such as co-ordinating and leading on counter-terrorism matters and protection of the British Royal Family and senior figures of Her Majesty's Government.

The MPS is frequently referred to by the name "Scotland Yard", which was actually the name of the MPS's original headquarters: Great Scotland Yard, Whitehall. The name is so closely associated with the MPS that when the agency changed headquarters in 1890, the new building was dubbed "New Scotland Yard". However, when most people say "Scotland Yard" they are in fact referring to the MPS.

Scotland Yard in The War That Came Early
During the Second World War, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and his successor Horace Wilson each made liberal use of officers from Scotland Yard to spy on their political enemies before and after the Hess Agreement. As Wilson grew more authoritarian, he relied more heavily on the MPS; Military Intelligence was divided in its loyalties. Wilson even took the extra step of having Scotland Yard arrest and detain alleged traitors indefinitely.

This act finally prompted a military coup which deposed Wilson and his Cabinet. Scotland Yard was heavily purged and reorganized as a result.

Scotland Yard in Ruled Britannia
The buildings that had once accomodated the king of Scotland on his visits to London fell into disuse during the decade-long Spanish occupation of England. Despite invitations from Spanish-backed English government, the Protestant King James VI was too canny to put his head in the Catholic lion's mouth.