Britain's MI5 intelligence agency warns of growing attacks from Russia and Iran, as war in the Middle East continues
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Britain's MI5 intelligence agency warns of growing attacks from Russia and Iran, as war in the Middle East continues

ABC  

The head of Britain's MI5 intelligence agency says Russia is trying to create "mayhem" in the UK, while Iran increases its number of "potentially lethal" plots on UK soil. MI5 director general Ken McCallum said Britain was experiencing a staggering rise in assassination attempts and other crimes by Russia and Iran, with these countries allegedly recruiting criminals to "do their dirty work." Middle East conflict leads to concerns In a public speech on the major threats to the UK, Mr McCallum said authorities had responded to 20 Iranian-backed plots since January 2022, which could have been deadly. Russia allegedly attempting to create 'mayhem' Mr McCallum said Russia’s military intelligence agency was trying to use “arson, sabotage and more” to create “mayhem” on the streets of Britain and other European countries.

Middle East State Iranian Britain Mccallum Mr Mccallum Mi5 Iran Russia  warns  plots  state  mi5  middle  growing  suicide  east  war  threats  continues  intelligence  mccallum  mr  uk  iran  russia

History of this topic

MI5 forced to shift focus from terrorism to Russia due to ‘finite capacity’
3 months, 3 weeks ago

MI5 forced to shift focus from terrorism to Russia due to ‘finite capacity’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy MI5 will be forced to turn focus away from terrorism …

World at most dangerous point in 40 years, MI6 chief warns
3 months, 4 weeks ago

World at most dangerous point in 40 years, MI6 chief warns

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sir Richard said MI6 “cherishes our heritage of covert action, which we keep alive …

UK intelligence chief accuses Russia of 'staggeringly reckless' sabotage campaign
3 months, 4 weeks ago

UK intelligence chief accuses Russia of 'staggeringly reckless' sabotage campaign

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of Britain’s foreign …

Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Though vouchsafed …

Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state

The Independent  

Though vouchsafed by the director general of the Security Service, the fact that his organisation has “one hell of a job on its hands” is hardly a state secret. What might be called a thinly coded message from Mr McCallum is that the war between Israel and its enemies, which has led to such terrible loss of life and destruction, …

MI5 boss Ken McCallum: UK facing heightened threat of ‘plot after plot’ from Iran and rise in Russia and Isis attacks
5 months, 2 weeks ago

MI5 boss Ken McCallum: UK facing heightened threat of ‘plot after plot’ from Iran and rise in Russia and Isis attacks

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A day after Sir Keir Starmer called on the international …

Russian spies plotting to cause ‘mayhem’ on streets of UK and Europe
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Russian spies plotting to cause ‘mayhem’ on streets of UK and Europe

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ken McCallum said GRU agents have carried out “arson, sabotage and more dangerous actions” …

Russian spies targeting UK with Cold War-style sabotage, warns MI5 boss
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Russian spies targeting UK with Cold War-style sabotage, warns MI5 boss

The Telegraph  

Russian spies are targeting Britain with Cold War-style sabotage, the director general of MI5 has warned. Writing exclusively for The Telegraph, Ken McCallum said Vladimir Putin’s intelligence agencies are targeting businesses to undermine the UK’s security and economy. His comments came as he gave his annual threat briefing, in which he warned that Russian operatives are “on a sustained mission …

Russia and Iran are behind a ‘staggering rise’ in deadly plots, British spy chief says
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Russia and Iran are behind a ‘staggering rise’ in deadly plots, British spy chief says

LA Times  

Britain is facing a “staggering rise” in attempts at assassination, sabotage and other crimes on its soil by Russia and Iran as the two states recruit criminals to “do their dirty work,” the head of the U.K.’s domestic intelligence agency said. The spy chief said if the crisis escalates with Israel launching a major attack in response to Iran’s recent …

MI5 plans to vet academics in British universities to root out foreign spies infiltrating campuses
11 months ago

MI5 plans to vet academics in British universities to root out foreign spies infiltrating campuses

Daily Mail  

Spy chiefs could vet academics to prevent hostile states infiltrating UK campuses and stealing sensitive research. The director general of MI5 and head of the National Cyber Security Centre also emphasised the dangers from foreign powers at the meeting. The director general of MI5 and head of the National Cyber Security Centre also emphasised the dangers from foreign powers at …

MI5's efforts to stop a report on a rogue spy being seen by MI6 led to Margaret Thatcher limiting Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe's use of the document, papers reveal
1 year, 2 months ago

MI5's efforts to stop a report on a rogue spy being seen by MI6 led to Margaret Thatcher limiting Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe's use of the document, papers reveal

Daily Mail  

MI5 was so desperate to stop fellow MI6 spooks seeing the full bombshell report into how one of its agents went rogue that Margaret Thatcher limited her foreign secretary's use of the document, newly released papers reveal. Mrs Thatcher was told Sir Geoffrey Howe had asked to see the Security Commission's full investigation into the case of Michael Bettaney, an …

UK spy chief warns of terror threat from Israel-Hamas war: ‘Possibility is…’
1 year, 5 months ago

UK spy chief warns of terror threat from Israel-Hamas war: ‘Possibility is…’

Hindustan Times  

Britain's domestic MI5 spy agency chief warned that the current conflict in Israel after Hamas attack increases UK terror risk. The chief singled out Iran as a cause for concern following terror attacks by suspected Islamist extremists in France and Belgium since renewed violence erupted in the Middle East 11 days ago. by MI5 director general Ken McCallum said, “There …

MI5 boss says Chinese espionage in UK on ‘epic’ scale with 20,000 people approached by spies
1 year, 5 months ago

MI5 boss says Chinese espionage in UK on ‘epic’ scale with 20,000 people approached by spies

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We have seen a sustained campaign on a pretty epic scale,” Ken McCallum told …

MI5 boss warns of ‘aggressive attempts’ by hostile states like China to steal secrets
1 year, 5 months ago

MI5 boss warns of ‘aggressive attempts’ by hostile states like China to steal secrets

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of MI5 has warned of a “sharp rise in …

MI5 chief in first joint public appearance with heads of Five Eyes spy agencies
1 year, 5 months ago

MI5 chief in first joint public appearance with heads of Five Eyes spy agencies

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of MI5 will make his first joint public …

UK resists calls to label China a threat following claims a Beijing spy worked in Parliament
1 year, 6 months ago

UK resists calls to label China a threat following claims a Beijing spy worked in Parliament

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. U.K. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said Britain should avoid calling China a “foe” or using …

MI5 boss Ken McCallum warns British students they are 'magnetic targets for espionage and manipulation' by hostile foreign states
1 year, 8 months ago

MI5 boss Ken McCallum warns British students they are 'magnetic targets for espionage and manipulation' by hostile foreign states

Daily Mail  

The boss of MI5 has warned British students they are 'magnetic targets for espionage and manipulation' by hostile foreign states. Ken McCallum urged students to be vigilant to avoid sharing secrets to China, Russia and Iran - as hostile actors are stealing British research with 'dispiriting regularity'. MI5 boss Ken McCallum urged students to be vigilant to avoid sharing secrets …

MI5 hikes Northern Ireland terror threat level to ‘severe’
2 years ago

MI5 hikes Northern Ireland terror threat level to ‘severe’

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K.’s MI5 intelligence service on Tuesday raised the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland’ to “severe” amid an increase in activity by dissident Irish republican militants. Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland laid down their arms after the 1998 Good Friday peace accord largely ended three decades of violent conflict between Irish republican and British loyalist groups and …

MI5 head Ken McCallum: Britain faces Russian security threat ‘for years to come’
2 years, 4 months ago

MI5 head Ken McCallum: Britain faces Russian security threat ‘for years to come’

The Independent  

Britain has become a particular focus of virulent animosity from Russia over its strong support for Ukraine in the war, with continuous action needed to counter the ongoing threat this poses, the director general of MI5 has warned. Giving his annual outline of threats faced by the UK, Mr McCallum said MI5 “is making the biggest shifts in a generation” …

Iran plans to kill ‘enemies' in UK, 10 assassination bids this year: Spy agency
2 years, 4 months ago

Iran plans to kill ‘enemies' in UK, 10 assassination bids this year: Spy agency

Hindustan Times  

Iran is planning to kidnap of kill "enemies of the regime", the boss of spy agency MI5 has warned. Director general Ken McCallum claimed that Iran "projects threat to the UK directly, through its aggressive intelligence services". In a speech given from the security agency's Thames House headquarters in London, Ken McCallum gave a stark warning that not only does …

MI5 spy chief says Russia, China, Iran top threat list to UK
2 years, 4 months ago

MI5 spy chief says Russia, China, Iran top threat list to UK

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain faces major security threats from the trio of Russia, China and Iran, which all use coercion, intimidation and even violence on foreign soil to pursue their interests, the U.K.’s domestic intelligence chief said Wednesday. U.K-based Farsi-language satellite news channel Iran International said British police had warned two of its journalists about “an imminent, credible and significant risk …

UK spy chief says China's tech aims are a 'threat to us all'
2 years, 5 months ago

UK spy chief says China's tech aims are a 'threat to us all'

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of Britain’s cyber-intelligence …

FBI, MI5 heads warn of China threat in rare joint address
2 years, 8 months ago

FBI, MI5 heads warn of China threat in rare joint address

Firstpost  

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum and FBI Director Chris Wray told an audience of officials and business executives that the threat from Chinese spies is paramount in both countries and will only increase in the future London: The heads of MI5 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned Wednesday about China’s commercial espionage thrust in the West, in a rare …

FBI, MI5 heads issue joint warning on China's threat to Western security
2 years, 8 months ago

FBI, MI5 heads issue joint warning on China's threat to Western security

ABC  

The heads of the FBI and MI5 have joined forces to warn that China poses the biggest long-term threat to the security of the US, the UK and their allies. Key points: China's "covert pressure" is the world's "most game-changing challenge", FBI director Christopher Wray says The Chinese embassy rejected the accusation US officials claim Chinese President Xi Jinping is …

UK spies accuse political donor of pro-China interference
3 years, 2 months ago

UK spies accuse political donor of pro-China interference

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s domestic intelligence service has warned lawmakers that a London-based lawyer is trying to “covertly interfere in U.K. politics” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle on Thursday sent legislators an alert from the MI5 spy agency alleging that Christine Lee was acting in coordination with the Chinese ruling party’s United Front …

Chinese spies are targeting the UK, warns MI6 chief
3 years, 3 months ago

Chinese spies are targeting the UK, warns MI6 chief

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In his first public speech since taking up the post last year, Richard Moore …

MI6 spy chief says China, Russia, Iran top UK threat list
3 years, 3 months ago

MI6 spy chief says China, Russia, Iran top UK threat list

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. MI6 chief Richard Moore said …

31 late-stage terror attack plots in UK foiled over past four years, MI5 chief says
3 years, 6 months ago

31 late-stage terror attack plots in UK foiled over past four years, MI5 chief says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ken McCallum said that the threat of terrorism in the UK remains “a real …

Afghanistan crisis: UK spy chief warns Taliban takeover could fuel terror plots
3 years, 6 months ago

Afghanistan crisis: UK spy chief warns Taliban takeover could fuel terror plots

India TV News  

Afghanistan crisis: UK spy chief warns Taliban takeover could fuel terror plots MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum said the U.K. could face “more risk” because of the withdrawal of NATO troops and the overthrow of the internationally backed Afghan government. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has “hearted and emboldened” extremists and could lead to the return of major “al-Qaida-style” attack plots …

UK calls Russia top threat, issues warning on China, promises to build more nuclear warheads
4 years ago

UK calls Russia top threat, issues warning on China, promises to build more nuclear warheads

CNN  

CNN — Russia is Britain’s top security challenge, the UK will build more nuclear weapons and London will expand its presence in the high-tech realms of space and cyberspace, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Tuesday in a sweeping review of British military and foreign policy. “China’s increasing power and international assertiveness is likely to be the most significant geopolitical factor …

Violent right-wing extremism is a ‘major threat’ in the UK, MI5 boss says
4 years, 5 months ago

Violent right-wing extremism is a ‘major threat’ in the UK, MI5 boss says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking to a group of journalists, Mr McCallum said that MI5 was engaged along …

Russia has 'more than five times as many spies in Britain now than it did during the Cold War'
6 years, 5 months ago

Russia has 'more than five times as many spies in Britain now than it did during the Cold War'

Daily Mail  

There are more than five times as many Russian intelligence officers now than there were during the Cold War, according to a report uncovered by Andrew Gilligan for The Sunday Times. The figures come amid an increasing fear of Russian infiltration and espionage in the country following the attempted murders of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March this year. The …

Intelligence services thwarting monthly terror attacks on Britain, MI5 head says
6 years, 10 months ago

Intelligence services thwarting monthly terror attacks on Britain, MI5 head says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain needs to …

Manchester attack: MI5 may have been able to stop arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi, inquiry finds
7 years, 3 months ago

Manchester attack: MI5 may have been able to stop arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi, inquiry finds

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. MI5 chief warns that Britain is facing an unrelenting terrorist threat “With the benefit …

Britain is facing a terrorist threat as unrelenting as it is unprecedented, MI5 chief warns
7 years, 5 months ago

Britain is facing a terrorist threat as unrelenting as it is unprecedented, MI5 chief warns

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Parker recalled that he had said in a speech two years ago that …

Islamist attacks will threaten UK for decades, former head of MI5 warns as police say Isis is creating terror 'cult'
7 years, 7 months ago

Islamist attacks will threaten UK for decades, former head of MI5 warns as police say Isis is creating terror 'cult'

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Rowley said police were wrestling with an “extraordinarily diverse” range of threats, adding: …

London terror attack: MI5 and police investigating whether further attack is imminent
7 years, 9 months ago

London terror attack: MI5 and police investigating whether further attack is imminent

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Picture: Counter-terror police and MI5 will be working at pace …

UK security forces foiled five terror attacks since March, says report
7 years, 10 months ago

UK security forces foiled five terror attacks since March, says report

Firstpost  

UK security forces have foiled at least five terror plots since a knife-wielding man in a speeding car mowed down four pedestrians to death in March. London: British security forces have foiled at least five terror plots since a knife-wielding man in a speeding car mowed down four pedestrians to death and fatally stabbed a policeman near the UK Parliament …

MI5 chief: Britain faces growing threat from Russia
8 years, 4 months ago

MI5 chief: Britain faces growing threat from Russia

CNN  

Story highlights Kremlin spokesman rejects MI5 chief's claims MI5 director-general also says "there will be" terrorist attacks in the UK London CNN — Britain faces a growing threat from covert attempts at destabilization by Russia, the head of the country’s security and counter-intelligence agency MI5 has said. Russia was “using its whole range of state organs and powers to push …

U.K. foiled 7 terror attacks in last 6 months: Cameron
9 years, 4 months ago

U.K. foiled 7 terror attacks in last 6 months: Cameron

The Hindu  

British intelligence services have foiled seven terror attacks in the past six months in the United Kingdom while earlier response to such warning had originated from the al-Qaeda and the area between Pakistan and Afghanistan, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday. Mr. Cameron’s remarks came as the United Kingdom government planned to recruit 1,900 new spies for the …

Isis planning 'mass casualty' terror attacks in UK, head of MI5 warns
9 years, 4 months ago

Isis planning 'mass casualty' terror attacks in UK, head of MI5 warns

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Referring to the six thwarted attempts on British soil in the past 12 months, …

UK’s MI5 chief warns of ‘terrorism threat’
12 years, 9 months ago

UK’s MI5 chief warns of ‘terrorism threat’

Al Jazeera  

Britain has seen a credible “terrorist” attack plot about once a year since the September 11 attacks, a worrying pattern as London prepares to host the Olympics, the head of the country’s intelligence agency has said. “But the games are not an easy target, and the fact that we have disrupted multiple terrorist plots here and abroad in recent years …

Mumbai-style plot uncovered
14 years, 5 months ago

Mumbai-style plot uncovered

The Hindu  

Intelligence agencies on Wednesday claimed that they had uncovered and foiled a plot by Pakistan-based groups to launch simultaneous, Mumbai-style terror attacks against high-profile targets in Britain, France and Germany. Media reports quoted security forces as saying that small teams of commandos were to ‘seize and kill’ hostages. “Western security agencies may have been hoping to keep the matter out …

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