Implausible scene

Remember that this was pre-Internet, though multi-terminal networks had been in existence for some time. My impression of the scene was that the "hacker" assisting Craven had located a terminal that could be connected to the government's database and that he had the know-how to get past the electronic security of the time. He also knew that once they got into the MI-5 computer, the security breach would be detected but that it would take some time to trace (I believe he mentions "ten minutes"--correct me if I'm wrong).

In fact, once they break in and start searching, we see Pendleton with others monitoring the activity from a terminal that is presumably at a different location (I would guess an MI-5 office). And after evading the police on foot, Craven finds himself at Barbican Centre, which seems an unlikely place to have a direct pedestrian connection to a government intelligence office.

Of course, once Craven arrives at Barbican Centre, he runs into Clemmy, which cannot possibly be an accident. How did she know where he would be, and who sent her? She says "Gaia" but it would have had to have been someone who knew where Craven would be that night and which way he would run to escape from the authorities. Pendleton reveals in his phone call a bit later that he had that information.

I have always assumed that Craven was "allowed" to get away as part of Pendleton's agenda (whatever it may have ultimately been). So did he send Clemmy? Or did someone else? Remember that Jedburgh reveals at one point that he was the creator of "Gaia" and that the organization, like everything else in the story, was not what it first appeared to be. By attempting to side with the underdog, Craven is unwittingly being used as a tool by the vague, widespread public and private conspiracy which underlies the entire story (and is summed up nicely in a concluding scene in which all of the particulars are seated at the same table drinking champagne).

The last resort of one who cannot think is to argue that another cannot feel.