All articles tagged with #mi5
Britain’s MI5 says Iran-backed plots targeting opposition media and Jewish sites were disrupted (more than 20 in the year to October), and police are investigating Iranian links to arson attacks, with authorities warning offenders will be brought to justice.
An InDepth examination of Paul Thompson’s 1994 murder in Belfast frames a decades‑long fight over NCND secrecy, pitting bereaved families and police against the government and MI5 over what can be disclosed about state involvement. The Supreme Court upheld keeping material secret for national security, fueling calls for reform as other cases—such as Stakeknife and investigations linked to the Manchester Arena—highlight ongoing accountability gaps for security agencies.
Britain is poised to approve a mega Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court in London, a 20,000-square-meter complex near critical data cables and close to the financial district, despite years of protests over security risks; if approved, it would be Europe’s largest embassy, triggering opposition from lawmakers and dissidents, amid MI5 warnings of espionage activity and a Jan. 20 decision deadline as Prime Minister Starmer steers diplomacy with Beijing.
Families affected by the Manchester Arena bombing are demanding that MI5 be fully included in the new 'Hillsborough Law' to ensure transparency and accountability from intelligence agencies, following criticisms of MI5's false narratives and lack of candour during investigations. The law aims to enforce a duty of candour on public officials, including intelligence services, to prevent cover-ups and promote truthfulness in public inquiries.
The FBI director Kash Patel allegedly promised to support MI5's request to retain an F.B.I. agent in London for surveillance purposes but later did not follow through, raising concerns among international intelligence allies about his reliability and approach.
The article humorously critiques Claude Whelan, the ineffective MI5 director in 'Slow Horses,' highlighting his incompetence, extortion issues, and eventual downfall, while suggesting he might find a new career in private security.
MI5 chief Ken McCallum reports a 35% increase in investigations related to foreign state threats in the UK, highlighting rising dangers from Russia, China, and Iran, alongside ongoing terrorism concerns and the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence in security threats.
MI5 revealed that UK spies have recently disrupted a new threat from China, highlighting ongoing cyber threats and espionage activities, despite a dropped case against two individuals accused of gathering intelligence on UK-China relations. The agency emphasizes the persistent danger posed by Chinese state actors and ongoing cyber threats to government networks.
MI5 is facing a new era of threats, with a significant increase in terrorism investigations and escalating state threats from Russia, China, and Iran, prompting a major shift in its mission since 9/11, including disrupting numerous plots and addressing espionage and cyber threats, while emphasizing the importance of accountability and oversight.
Stella Rimington, the first woman to lead MI5 and an inspiration for the character 'M' in James Bond, has died at age 90. She broke barriers in British intelligence, increased transparency, and authored spy novels after her career. Her leadership marked significant milestones for diversity and public engagement in intelligence services.
Dame Stella Rimington, the first female director general of MI5 and a trailblazer in intelligence leadership, has died at 90. She modernized MI5, promoted transparency, and was a model for the character M in James Bond films. Her career spanned key Cold War and post-Cold War periods, and she authored spy novels after retiring.
Twenty years after the 7/7 London bombings, the article examines whether the UK is safer, highlighting the evolution of counter-terrorism efforts, missed opportunities, and the complex nature of modern threats, including DIY attacks and internet-fueled extremism.
A UK High Court criticized MI5 for misleading courts about an informant involved in domestic abuse cases, raising concerns over transparency and oversight of the agency, which has historically maintained secrecy about its operations.
The UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, acknowledged that MI5's provision of false evidence to courts was a serious failure, leading to calls for a robust, independent investigation overseen by Sir Brian Leveson, after revelations of misconduct in a case involving a neo-Nazi agent and the BBC's exposure of MI5's dishonesty. The case has raised concerns about internal processes and the handling of sensitive evidence within MI5.
In the latest episode of Slow Horses, Diana and Ingrid engage in a deadly power struggle within MI5, manipulating their own agents to kill each other while enjoying a drink. The truth behind Alison's murder is revealed - Ingrid endorsed a device that could hack encrypted computers, and when Alison threatened to blow the whistle, she was eliminated. As the Slough House misfits search for incriminating evidence, Duffy, under Ingrid's orders, ruthlessly eliminates his colleagues. The episode ends with a cliffhanger as River and the others face a deadly assault, with their only hope resting on two recently fired Slough House rejects. MI5's toxic leadership and disregard for human life are exposed, making the misfits the real heroes.