The United Kingdom’s external intelligence service, the MI6, will be directed for the first time in its 116 years of history by a woman, the government reported Monday. In a statement released today, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the new director, Blaise Metreweli, will replace Richard Moore at the end of the year and will be the decimoctava responsible for the MI6, a service that depends on the Foreign Ministry.
Metreweli, 47 and a degree in Anthropology from the English University of Cambridge, is currently responsible for the MI6 technology and innovation area, better known as ‘Q’, and will take care of the service at a time when the United Kingdom faces growing threats, indicates a statement from the Executive.
“Blaise Metreweli’s historic appointment comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services is more crucial than ever,” Starmer said in the note. “The United Kingdom – he added – faces threats to an unprecedented level, whether they are aggressors that send their ships spy to our waters or ‘hackers’ whose sophisticated cyber conspiracies seek to interrupt our public services.”
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The head of the Government thanked Richard Moore for his dedication and said he is sure that Metreweli will continue to offer the “excellent leadership necessary to defend our country.” For his part, the Foreign head, David Lammy, said in the same note that Metreweli has great experience “throughout our national community of National Security. Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead the MI6 in the future.”
“In a moment of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries collaborate more and more closely, Blaise will ensure that the United Kingdom can face these challenges to keep the United Kingdom safe both inside and outside the country,” he said.
Lammy explained that intelligence services work between racks for national security. Metreweli, who joined the intelligence service in 1999 and worked mainly in the Middle East, said he felt “proud and honest” for having been designated to direct the service.
“The MI6 performs a vital work, together with the MI5 (internal) and the GCHQ (listening) to guarantee the security of the British people and promote the interests of the United Kingdom abroad. I hope to continue this work together with the brave agents of the MI6 and our numerous international partners,” he said.
The MI6 is dedicated to collecting intelligence information abroad to reinforce the security of the United Kingdom, interrupt the activities of hostile states, prevent terrorist attacks and reinforce cybersecurity.
