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MI5 chief Sir Jonathan Evans to step down next month | MI5 chief Sir Jonathan Evans to step down next month |
(35 minutes later) | |
The head of MI5, Sir Jonathan Evans, is to step down from the post next month, Home Secretary Theresa May has said. | The head of MI5, Sir Jonathan Evans, is to step down from the post next month, Home Secretary Theresa May has said. |
In the Commons, Mrs May paid tribute to Sir Jonathan's 33 years with the security service. | In the Commons, Mrs May paid tribute to Sir Jonathan's 33 years with the security service. |
He succeeded Lady Manningham-Buller to become director general of MI5 in April 2007, and will leave at the end of his contract. | He succeeded Lady Manningham-Buller to become director general of MI5 in April 2007, and will leave at the end of his contract. |
"I thank him for his invaluable contribution to public safety and national security," Mrs May said. | "I thank him for his invaluable contribution to public safety and national security," Mrs May said. |
Speaking at Home Office questions, Mrs May said his work had included investigating counter espionage, developing and implementing key policies on security and most-recently countering the threat of international terrorism. | |
"He has experienced the service evolving over the years and as director general has led the service through particularly challenging times of change and unrest, including the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings," she said. | |
"His tireless work helped ensure the delivery of a safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games last year." | "His tireless work helped ensure the delivery of a safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games last year." |
Terror threat outlined | Terror threat outlined |
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We also give thanks for the work Sir Jonathan Evans has done over many years for the security of this country." | Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We also give thanks for the work Sir Jonathan Evans has done over many years for the security of this country." |
At MI5, Sir Jonathan, who is in his mid-50s, initially focused on Irish-related terrorism in the 1980s and 1990s, before moving on to international counter-terrorism investigations in 1999. | |
He was appointed director of international counter-terrorism just 10 days before the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. | He was appointed director of international counter-terrorism just 10 days before the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. |
Last year, in a rare public speech just a month before the Olympic Games began in London, he said Britain had experienced a "credible terrorist attack plot about once a year since 9/11". | Last year, in a rare public speech just a month before the Olympic Games began in London, he said Britain had experienced a "credible terrorist attack plot about once a year since 9/11". |
He warned: "In back rooms and in cars and on the streets of this country, there is no shortage of individuals talking about wanting to mount terrorist attacks here." | He warned: "In back rooms and in cars and on the streets of this country, there is no shortage of individuals talking about wanting to mount terrorist attacks here." |
He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2013 New Year's Honours List. |