John Sawers on security
from Tell Me Why
Prospect today publishes an exclusive podcast interview with John Sawers, head of MI6 from 2009-2014. Sawers raises deep concerns over the security and intelligence consequences of Brexit. He says: “My concern on the intelligence and security front is over the exchange of data. Data is now central to the way in which security services in particular monitor threats. Track people who might pose a threat to UK security—and the rules on exchange of data are going to be set in the EU and we won’t be round the table with our voice with our weight stressing the vital importance of these data exchanges to our national security.” On Theresa May, Sawers says: “I don’t think she’s a natural at engaging on these big political issues with foreign leaders.” On Britain in the world: “We have made less impact in the world in the last ten years than we did in the 30 years before that.” Sawers goes on to discuss the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, Britain’s failure to intervene in Syria, Russian meddling in western elections and relations between Britain and the US.
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