Former MI6 chief Alex Younger dies aged 62

Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has died, with Keir Starmer leading tributes to his “utmost dedication” to protecting Britain.

He led the Secret Intelligence Service, the agency also known as MI6, between 2014 and 2020.

Younger died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer.

Paying tribute, the UK prime minister said: “I was saddened to learn of the news of the death of Sir Alex Younger.

“Sir Alex Younger led an exemplary life and career, ultimately serving as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2014 to 2020.

“He will be remembered by the many ministers, colleagues, friends, and family for his utmost dedication to British public life and protecting our nation. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Sir Alex Younger. His dedication, integrity and outstanding leadership as chief of MI6 kept us all safe, and the country owes him an enormous debt of gratitude.

“I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and his friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Blaise Metreweli, the current chief of MI6, said: “It is with immense sadness that I am sharing the news that former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger died today after fighting cancer for some time. Alex embodied my service’s values of integrity, courage, creativity and respect.

“We remember Alex’s deep commitment to public service and the security of the UK. He made a lasting and distinctive contribution to our country and indeed to global security. Today my thoughts and those of the whole of MI6 are with Alex’s loved ones.”

David Cameron, who was prime minister when Younger became head of MI6, said the “terrible news has really knocked me for six”.

He said: “Due to the nature of their work, few fully understand the service and sacrifice made by those working in our intelligence and security services – but, be in no doubt, Alex made our country a safer place and we all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for that.

“I had the privilege to continue working with Alex and to remain good friends after we both left office; I will miss him dreadfully. He was a remarkable man – tremendously knowledgeable and insightful, but also such fantastic company and fun to be with.

“Kind, thoughtful; a good man in every sense. At a time when our world is more confrontational, volatile and, frankly, dangerous, his expertise and great wisdom will be deeply missed.”

Nick Robinson, the BBC journalist who presents Radio 4’s Today programme, said he had become friends with Younger after he appeared on the flagship news broadcast.

https://x.com/bbcnickrobinson/status/2062196262582018497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Writing on social media site X, the journalist said: “After he first appeared in the programme, I was lucky enough to get to know Alex and call him my friend. I’m desperately sad to hear the news I’ve long feared was coming.

“Alex has died after months trying to cheat the prognosis he was given.”

Robinson said Younger had nicknamed his tumour “Putin” after Russian president Vladimir Putin, when it was discovered.