Andrew Parker will succeed Sir Jonathan Evans, who is stepping down after six years in charge
Andrew Parker, who led the MI5 response to the London 7/7 bomb attacks, has been named as the new head of the domestic security service.
Parker, 50, who has honed his surveillance skills as a keen birdwatcher and wildlife photographer – a hobby he shares with James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming – will succeed Sir Jonathan Evans on 22 April.
A career MI5 officer, Parker said: "It is a great honour to be appointed director general of MI5. I am extremely proud of the work the men and women of MI5 do to keep country safe in challenging circumstances. I look forward to leading the service through its next chapter."
That chapter is sure to include developing an effective response to the rapidly growing threat of cybercrime, one of the biggest challenges facing MI5.
Parker was appointed as deputy director general of the security service, as MI5 is formally known, in April 2007 and he has been the chief officer responsible for handling counter-terrorism operations at the security agency.
His official biography states that he has worked in all major areas of security and intelligence work including countering al-Qaida-related plots, Middle East terrorism, counter-espionage, Northern Ireland terrorism, and serious and organised crime. His CV includes a liaison posting in the United States and a three-year secondment at HM Customs and Excise as director of intelligence.
Parker led MI5's response to the London bomb attacks of 7 July 2005, oversaw the rapid expansion in counter-terrorism work in their aftermath and led development of the agency's regional network. In 2006 his teams played the lead role in disrupting a bomb plot aimed at bringing down multiple transatlantic flights.
He is said to be well known in the Cabinet Office and in the corridors of Whitehall. Such surefooted political lobbying skills have become increasingly important for MI5 in recent years.
The home secretary, Theresa May, said Parker would bring a wealth of experience to the job. "Under his leadership the service will continue to stay ahead of global and domestic threats to our national security and further develop its reputation as one of the world's most effective security agencies," she said.
It is believed that other senior officials, including one outsider, were in the running for the job. The outgoing Evans told David Cameron and May this year that he wanted to leave when his existing contract ran out in April. He took over from Lady Manningham-Buller in 2007 and was knighted in this year's new years honours.
Evans was the driving force behind the justice and security bill, which will introduce secret court hearings designed to prevent disclosure of sensitive intelligence and security information. This month he said he felt it necessary to warn new recruits to keep their activities ethical, legal and proportionate to retain the trust of ministers and the public. Reported by guardian.co.uk 6 hours ago.
Andrew Parker, who led the MI5 response to the London 7/7 bomb attacks, has been named as the new head of the domestic security service.
Parker, 50, who has honed his surveillance skills as a keen birdwatcher and wildlife photographer – a hobby he shares with James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming – will succeed Sir Jonathan Evans on 22 April.
A career MI5 officer, Parker said: "It is a great honour to be appointed director general of MI5. I am extremely proud of the work the men and women of MI5 do to keep country safe in challenging circumstances. I look forward to leading the service through its next chapter."
That chapter is sure to include developing an effective response to the rapidly growing threat of cybercrime, one of the biggest challenges facing MI5.
Parker was appointed as deputy director general of the security service, as MI5 is formally known, in April 2007 and he has been the chief officer responsible for handling counter-terrorism operations at the security agency.
His official biography states that he has worked in all major areas of security and intelligence work including countering al-Qaida-related plots, Middle East terrorism, counter-espionage, Northern Ireland terrorism, and serious and organised crime. His CV includes a liaison posting in the United States and a three-year secondment at HM Customs and Excise as director of intelligence.
Parker led MI5's response to the London bomb attacks of 7 July 2005, oversaw the rapid expansion in counter-terrorism work in their aftermath and led development of the agency's regional network. In 2006 his teams played the lead role in disrupting a bomb plot aimed at bringing down multiple transatlantic flights.
He is said to be well known in the Cabinet Office and in the corridors of Whitehall. Such surefooted political lobbying skills have become increasingly important for MI5 in recent years.
The home secretary, Theresa May, said Parker would bring a wealth of experience to the job. "Under his leadership the service will continue to stay ahead of global and domestic threats to our national security and further develop its reputation as one of the world's most effective security agencies," she said.
It is believed that other senior officials, including one outsider, were in the running for the job. The outgoing Evans told David Cameron and May this year that he wanted to leave when his existing contract ran out in April. He took over from Lady Manningham-Buller in 2007 and was knighted in this year's new years honours.
Evans was the driving force behind the justice and security bill, which will introduce secret court hearings designed to prevent disclosure of sensitive intelligence and security information. This month he said he felt it necessary to warn new recruits to keep their activities ethical, legal and proportionate to retain the trust of ministers and the public. Reported by guardian.co.uk 6 hours ago.