Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer. He led the Secret Intelligence Service between 2014 and 2020.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer led tributes, saying Younger led an 'exemplary life' and will be remembered for his 'utmost dedication' to protecting the nation. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the country owes him 'an enormous debt of gratitude'.
Current MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli said Younger embodied the service's values of integrity, courage, creativity and respect, and made a lasting contribution to UK and global security.
Younger joined MI6 in 1991 and served in Europe and the Middle East. He was station chief in Afghanistan during the 2001 coalition against the Taliban and later led counter-terrorism work ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. He was the longest-serving MI6 chief in 50 years.
BBC journalist Nick Robinson, who became friends with Younger, said he had died after months of trying to 'cheat the prognosis he was given'. In 2016, Younger described James Bond as both a blessing and a curse for MI6.
