A mystery suspect in the multimillion-pound Hatton Garden raid is an ex-policeman, it has been claimed.
The thief known as "Basil" was also the brains behind the £14 million heist, according to a letter written by fellow gang member Danny Jones to Sky News.
Last month the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad issued an urgent public appeal for help in tracing Basil and the missing two thirds of the loot, which included gold, diamonds and sapphires.
A mystery suspect in the Hatton Garden heist is an ex-policeman, it has been claimed; police are still trying to trace a man named Basil who has disappeared with two thirds of the loot
In excerpts from the letter published by Sky, Jones, 60, who is at Belmarsh Prison awaiting sentencing, wrote: "I can say that someone told me he (Basil) was an ex-policeman who got into security by the guy who introduced him to me.
"He said Basil heard about me from a close friend on the police force, as I was arrested for a similar raid in Bond Street in 2010."
He added: "Basil was the brains, as I was recruited by him. He let me in on the night of the burglary, he hid keys and codes throughout the building."
Jones went on to say he did not know Basil's real identity, and if he did he would not tell, as "it's not a done thing where I come from".
Scotland Yard declined to comment on the claims.
In January three men were found guilty of being involved in the raid, which took place over the Easter weekend last year and is believed to be the biggest burglary in British history.
Carl Wood, 58, and William Lincoln, 60, were convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property, while plumber Hugh Doyle, 48, was found guilty of concealing, converting or transferring criminal property between January 1 and May 19 last year.
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They were members of the gang, including five others, who ransacked 73 boxes at Hatton Garden Safety Deposit in central London after using a drill to bore a hole into the vault wall.
Ringleaders John "Kenny" Collins, 75, Jones, Terry Perkins, 67, and the group's oldest member Brian Reader, 76, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary in September.
Collins, of Islington; Jones and Perkins, of Enfield, and Reader, of Dartford, have been in custody since their arrests.
They are due to be sentenced along with Wood, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, Lincoln, of Bethnal Green, and Doyle of Enfield on March 7.
Hatton Garden Jewellery Heist Vault
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Smashed safe deposit boxes and the fortified entrance are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door and the sealed hole that had been cut through the 50cm-thick concrete wall are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A crow bar is pictured among smashed safe deposit boxes in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes, the fortified entrance and the sealed hole that had been cut through the 50cm-thick concrete wall are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door and the sealed hole that had been cut through the 50cm-thick concrete wall are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door and the sealed hole that had been cut through the 50cm-thick concrete wall are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A notice is pictured outside the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A sign and alarm in the basement corridor between an exit and the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, are pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The steps leading down to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, are pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The broken lock of a smashed safe deposit box is pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Keys are pictured in small plastic bags inside the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A notice is pictured outside the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door and the sealed hole that had been cut through the 50cm-thick concrete wall are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The broken lock of a smashed safe deposit box is pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The broken lock of a smashed safe deposit box is pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The shuttered lift shaft (L) and the corridor leading to the reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, are pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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Smashed safe deposit boxes are pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A crow bar is pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reinforced steel door to the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A security notice is pictured in the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The basement corridor between an exit and the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The sealed hole cut through the 50cm-thick concrete wall of the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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A sign in the basement corridor between an exit and the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The reception area of the building housing the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, are pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The alleyway between an exit and the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)
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The basement courtyard between an exit and the underground vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company which was raided in what has been called the largest burglary in English legal history, is pictured on January 15, 2016 in London, England. (credit:Hatton Garden Properties Ltd via Getty Images)