Blaise Metreweli becomes Britain’s first female MI6 Chief as Intelligence Landscape Evolves
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London: For the first time in its 116-year history, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service has appointed a woman to lead its foreign spying operations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday named Blaise Metreweli as the next chief of MI6 agency founded in 1909.
Metreweli currently heads the agency’s technology and innovation division. She will officially step into her new role this autumn, succeeding Richard Moore, who led MI6 for the past five years. At 47, she becomes the only member of the organization whose identity is publicly acknowledged, assuming the post known simply as "C."
After the announcement Metreweli expressed her gratitude, “I am proud and honored to be asked to lead my Service.”
Prime Minister Starmer described the selection as “historic.” The domestic security service MI5 has previously been led by Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller, while Anne Keast-Butler took charge of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in 2023.
Her predecessor, Richard Moore, who came to the role from a distinguished diplomatic career, publicly expressed hope that his successor would help advance gender equality within the intelligence services. Last year, he noted on social media that he hoped to be “the last C selected from an all-male shortlist.”
The selection process for the MI6 chief began in March when the head of the civil service invited government departments to submit nominations. Candidates from across the intelligence community, civil service, diplomatic corps, military and law enforcement were considered. Metreweli, an internal candidate with a 25-year tenure in espionage, a Cambridge University degree in anthropology and a background in cutting-edge technology. She was also a member of the women’s rowing team during her university days.
"At a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together, Blaise will ensure the U.K. can tackle these challenges head on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad," said Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is ministerial responsible for MI6.
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Delhi chokes as AQI nears 'severe' level
New Delhi (PTI): A thick blanket of smog shrouded the national capital on Saturday morning with an air quality index (AQI) of 397, on the brinks of the 'severe' category.
Of the total monitoring stations in Delhi, 21 were in the 'severe' category with AQI readings crossing the 400-mark, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed.
According to the CPCB data, Wazirpur registered the highest AQI at 445, followed by Vivek Vihar at 444, Jahangirpuri at 442, Anand Vihar at 439, and 437 each in Ashok Vihar and Rohini.
Narela recorded an AQI of 432, followed by 431 in Pratapganj, 430 in Mundka, and 429 each in Bawana, ITO and Nehru Nagar, it added.
The AQI stood at 423 each in Chandni Chowk and Punjabi Bagh, while Siri Fort and Sonia Vihar each recorded 424, the CPCB data added.
It further noted that Burari Crossing registered an AQI of 414, followed by 409 at Karni Singh Shooting Range, 408 each in North Campus and RK Puram, 404 at and Okhla Phase 2.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe', according to CPCB.
The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that Delhi's air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category on Saturday and may deteriorate further, with conditions expected to slip into the 'severe' category on Sunday.
