UK intelligence chief outlines threats to Britain
4,838 views · Published 8 December 2018 · 3:03 · Indexed 17 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(3 Dec 2018) Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) director used a rare public speech Monday to outline threats facing Britain and the need for more diversity in secret agent ranks. Alex Younger, known by the code name "C'', told students at his alma mater, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, that adversaries like Russia view themselves as being in a state of "perpetual confrontation" with Britain and the West. He cited the "flagrant hostile act" of the use of the lethal nerve agent Novichok on ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury as a prime example. The spymaster said the SIS, also known as MI6, helped expose the perpetrators and coordinate the expulsion of Russian diplomats from NATO nations and other allies that followed the British government's determination that the Russian state was likely behind the attack. The expulsions damaged Russia's intelligence gathering, he said. Younger also assured his audience that Britain will fortify its intelligence ties to European counterparts even though Britain is leaving the European Union next year. He encouraged students to seek employment at with the service, even if they don't fit the typical profile of an intelligence officer. MI6 deals with international security challenges. The official threat level in Britain is set at "severe," indicating that intelligence analysts believe an attack is highly likely. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/65f0064d673371885ab7834ac421b403
