This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7488971.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Top spy seriously ill in hospital | Top spy seriously ill in hospital |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Britain's top spy, Alex Allan, the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, is unconscious and seriously ill in hospital. | Britain's top spy, Alex Allan, the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, is unconscious and seriously ill in hospital. |
The 57-year-old collapsed at his home earlier this week. Government sources say that there is no sign of foul play. | The 57-year-old collapsed at his home earlier this week. Government sources say that there is no sign of foul play. |
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera understands that there is no police involvement or concern over the reason for his condition. | BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera understands that there is no police involvement or concern over the reason for his condition. |
Mr Allan's committee collates information from MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. | |
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Alex Allan was taken ill on Monday and transferred to a London hospital. | |
"We cannot discuss his condition as it is a private matter." | |
The Metropolitan Police said: "We were made aware of a man in his late 50s who was taken to a London hospital after being taken ill at his home address. | The Metropolitan Police said: "We were made aware of a man in his late 50s who was taken to a London hospital after being taken ill at his home address. |
"He remains in a serious condition. This is being treated as non-suspicious." | "He remains in a serious condition. This is being treated as non-suspicious." |
Intelligence information | |
The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) is responsible for briefing ministers and officials with intelligence assessments on issues such as security, defence and foreign affairs. | |
It is part of the Cabinet Office, and briefs the prime minister weekly. | |
The JIC chairman collects information from members of the Security Service, MI5, the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and Government Communications Headquarters who sit on the committee. | |
The deputy chairman takes over in the absence of the chairman, but Cabinet Office policy is not to publicly name the person. | |
Mr Allan was a civil servant who worked mainly in the Treasury, before becoming principal private secretary to both John Major and Tony Blair when they were prime minister. | Mr Allan was a civil servant who worked mainly in the Treasury, before becoming principal private secretary to both John Major and Tony Blair when they were prime minister. |
He took the post of high commissioner to Australia in 1997. | He took the post of high commissioner to Australia in 1997. |
In 1999 he became "e-envoy" for the government, co-ordinating policy on e-commerce among different ministries and departments. | |
He left that post and moved back to Australia a year later before returning to the UK in 2004. | |
Downing Street announced his appointment as the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and Head of Intelligence Assessment late last year. | Downing Street announced his appointment as the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and Head of Intelligence Assessment late last year. |
Mr Allan's artist wife, Katie Clemson, died from cancer last November. |