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For the first time in the history of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), it will be headed by a woman. According to The Times, interviews for the post of MI6 chief took place last week, and three candidates, two of whom are current MI6 officers, made it to the final stage. The current head of the service, Sir Richard Moore, will step down in the autumn after five years.
The favourite for the post is Dame Barbara Woodward, the current British Ambassador to the UN and former Ambassador to China (2015-2020). However, her candidacy is controversial due to allegations of excessive loyalty to China and lack of intelligence experience. Critics, including those under Chinese sanctions, argue that Woodward has not been sufficiently vocal in her criticism of the Chinese regime, particularly regarding the Uighur genocide in Xinjiang. After completing her work in Beijing, she gave an interview to the Global Times newspaper, stating that Taiwan’s independence “is not an option”.
Woodward’s supporters emphasise her status as the most senior woman in the UK Foreign Office and her unique experience in China. Two other candidates, whose names have not been disclosed due to their work in the intelligence community, are also in the running. If appointed, their identities will be made public.
Woodward, who is 63, has no intelligence experience. She studied history at the University of St Andrews, earned a master’s degree in international relations at Yale University, taught English in China and joined the FCO in 1994. From 2009 to 2011, she was head of international affairs at the UK Border Agency.
The appointment of the new MI6 chief comes amid growing Chinese espionage activity in the UK, including infiltration of the Duke of York’s entourage, attacks on businesses and persecution of Hong Kong dissidents. Security sources note that MI6 is losing its effectiveness, becoming “a more discrete version of the Foreign Office” and moving away from traditional agent work.
The decision on the appointment will be made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recommendation of an expert council, which includes Foreign Secretary David Lammy, National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and Foreign Secretary Sir Oliver Robbins. Robbins’s presence on the board has been criticised as it may indicate that MI6 is subordinate to the Foreign Office.
The new head of MI6, known as “C”, is expected to become a historic figure in British intelligence, which has had only men in this position since 1909.
Source: The Times
