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: 'Sir Alex Younger led an exemplary life and career, ultimately serving as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2014 to 2020. He will be remembered by the many ministers, colleagues, friends and family for his utmost dedication to British public life and protecting our nation.'
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added: 'I am deeply saddened by the death of Sir Alex Younger. His dedication, integrity and outstanding leadership as chief of MI6 kept us all safe, and 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, served as station chief in Afghanistan during the 2001 US-led coalition against the Taliban, and led the agency's counter-terrorism work ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.
Younger was the longest-serving head of MI6 in 50 years and the 16th chief since the agency was founded in 1909. He was commissioned into the Royal Scots in 1986 and later served as a captain in the Scots Guards before joining MI6.
