Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer. Younger led the Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, between 2014 and 2020.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer led tributes, saying Younger led an 'exemplary life' and would be remembered for his 'utmost dedication to British public life and protecting our nation'. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the country owed him 'an enormous debt of gratitude'.
Blaise Metreweli, the current chief of MI6, said Younger 'embodied my service's values of integrity, courage, creativity and respect' and made 'a lasting and distinctive contribution to our country and indeed to global security'.
Younger joined MI6 in 1991 and served in Europe and the Middle East. He was station chief in Afghanistan during the 2001 US-led coalition against the Taliban and later led MI6's counter-terrorism work ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. He was the longest-serving chief of MI6 in 50 years.
