Sir Alex Younger, the former head of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), dies at 62 after being treated for pancreatic cancer, according to multiple outlets. Younger led MI6 from 2014 to 2020, a period in which the service works to counter foreign subversion and gather intelligence on threats from abroad. Several reports describe him as an unusually open and approachable senior figure for a senior intelligence officer, including how he engaged publicly while maintaining security. The BBC and other outlets note that Younger joined MI6 in 1991 and spent nearly three decades in British intelligence before becoming chief. Multiple sources report that he publicly warned about threats posed by hostile states, including China and Russia. Following his death, UK political figures—including Prime Minister Keir Starmer—issue tributes to Younger for his service, and other public figures including Prince William also send condolences. Outlets also reference Younger’s comments in a recent BBC interview earlier in 2024, illustrating his use of memorable language when discussing the Iran-related security environment.
Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger dies aged 62
Sir Alex Younger, the former head of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), dies at 62 after being treated for pancreatic cancer, according to multiple outlets. Younger led MI6 from 2014 to 2020,...
- Sir Alex Younger dies at age 62 after treatment for pancreatic cancer.
- He led MI6, the UK Secret Intelligence Service, from 2014 to 2020.
- Younger joined MI6 in 1991 and spent nearly three decades in British intelligence.
- Public figures including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William issue tributes after his death.
- Some reports say Younger publicly warned about threats from China, Russia, and other hostile states.
Prince William and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have paid tribute to former MI6 spy chief Alex Younger after his death at 62
2 months agoPopular head of the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, who widened out the recruitment processSir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, the Secret Intelligence Service, who has died from pancreatic cancer aged 62, was one of the most engaging and indeed open British spymasters in the service’s 116-year history.As head of the service, which spies on and attempts to combat foreign subversion, from 2014 to 2020, he did not entirely keep to the omertà that characterised many of his predecessors, though he did not compromise security. His gift for colourful phrases was evident in his last BBC interview, at the start of the Iran war in February; speaking of the regime following the replacement of its leadership he said: “The threat of 88 mullahs on Zoom is one that is difficult to comprehend.” Continue reading...
2 months agoSir Alex Younger died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer.
2 months agoKeir Starmer paid tribute to the man who led the agency between 2014 and 2020.
2 months agoKeir Starmer says Younger led an ‘exemplary life’, while foreign secretary says country owes him ‘an enormous debt of gratitude’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, the agency also known as MI6, between 2014 and 2020. Continue reading...
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