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| MI6: Richard Moore named as new head of Secret Intelligence Service | MI6: Richard Moore named as new head of Secret Intelligence Service |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The next chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, otherwise known as MI6, has been named as Richard Moore. | The next chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, otherwise known as MI6, has been named as Richard Moore. |
| Mr Moore is currently political director at the Foreign Office and a former ambassador to Turkey. He will take over as MI6 chief in the autumn. | Mr Moore is currently political director at the Foreign Office and a former ambassador to Turkey. He will take over as MI6 chief in the autumn. |
| He succeeds Sir Alex Younger, who has been in the post for almost six years. | He succeeds Sir Alex Younger, who has been in the post for almost six years. |
| Mr Moore would bring "tremendous experience" to the role, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. | |
| MI6 is the UK's foreign intelligence service and is responsible for gathering intelligence outside the UK. | MI6 is the UK's foreign intelligence service and is responsible for gathering intelligence outside the UK. |
| It says its three core aims are stopping terrorism, disrupting the activity of hostile states, and giving the UK a cyber advantage. | It says its three core aims are stopping terrorism, disrupting the activity of hostile states, and giving the UK a cyber advantage. |
| Its counterpart intelligence agency, MI5, is responsible for protecting the UK, its citizens and interests at home and overseas, against threats to national security. | Its counterpart intelligence agency, MI5, is responsible for protecting the UK, its citizens and interests at home and overseas, against threats to national security. |
| Libya-born Mr Moore has previously held director roles in MI6 and has been deputy national security adviser in the Cabinet Office. | |
| During his career he has been posted to Vietnam, Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia. | |
| According to his biography online, he is married with two children and his interests include golf, hiking, scuba-diving, Turkish carpets and porcelain, and visiting historical sites. | |
| 'Vital role' | |
| "I am pleased and honoured to be asked to return to lead my service," said Mr Moore. | |
| "SIS plays a vital role - with MI5 and GCHQ - in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas. | |
| "I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave and dedicated team at SIS." | |
| Outgoing MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger said: "I am delighted by this appointment. | |
| "Richard is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and we look forward to welcoming him back to the service." | |
| Mr Raab also said he was delighted to appoint Mr Moore. | |
| "He returns to SIS with tremendous experience and will oversee the work of a group of men and women whose tireless efforts are rarely seen in public, but which are critical for the security and prosperity of the UK," he said. | |
| "I pay tribute to Sir Alex Younger for everything he has done during his time leading the Secret Intelligence Service. | |
| "He has carefully and effectively guided the service during a time of increased and more diverse threats." | |
| Sir Alex took up the role of SIS chief - known as C - in 2014. | |
| Public speeches by the head of MI6 are rare. In 2018, Sir Alex spoke at the University of St Andrews, where he studied as an undergraduate. | |
| In the speech, he raised questions over Chinese technology companies being involved in the UK's communications infrastructure. | |
| He also said Russia should not underestimate the UK's capabilities. |