"I can't think of a single good reason why he had that material copied."

He as a policeman of high rank should know better than anyone else about the data protection act, and more importantly why the act was passed.

He should be made a severe example of for publicly breaking this law.
Furthermore by doing he is playing politics. As a highranking officer involved in security he has no excuse for his behaviour.
Retired or not his previous status smacks of the executive interfering with the legislative.
   The judiciary should bear this in mind when he is finally charged and judged.
The separation of power is implicit in a healthy democracy.
A court case is required both to reinforce this separation and send a strong message to others.
    This man overstepped his authority when searching an mp's parliamentary office without the required authorizations and compounded this by waltzing into downing street clutching a folder where the title page was captured by the press. Gross incompetence for a member of the security forces.
    Additionally he is guilty of holding data illegally for what can only be construed as political mischief making.

    He clearly demonstrates he was unfit for the role he was appointed to.