Ex-civil servant who left state secrets on train: 'You can recover from your biggest mistake'

A senior British civil servant who accidentally left top-secret documents on a train nearly 20 years ago has spoken publicly about the incident, saying he is proof that people can recover from their biggest mistake. Richard Jackson's error became national news and led to his demotion and a fine. Jackson, then 37, had taken the classified papers home from the Cabinet Office and forgot them on his commute the next morning. The documents were found and handed to the BBC, leading to his suspension, a charge under the Official Secrets Act, and a £2,500 fine. He says he considered suicide before his wife found him at home. Jackson credits colleagues and family for helping him rebuild, later working for the Samaritans and founding a coaching company called NewDay. He says he has not forgiven himself but is happy again, and his life is no longer defined by his career.