Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer.
Younger led the Secret Intelligence Service, the agency also known as MI6, between 2014 and 2020.
Keir Starmer led tributes to his “utmost dedication” to protecting the country, saying on Wednesday: “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.”
The 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 the Secret Intelligence Service, 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.”
The shadow Cabinet Office minister, Alex Burghart, paid tribute in the House of Commons.
Burghart said: “I’d just like to open my remarks by paying tribute to Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6 who has passed away suddenly during the course of this debate.
“He was an incredible public servant who gave an enormous amount to his country. He was incredibly wise and generous, and I know everyone in this House will miss him very much.”
Younger was commissioned into the Royal Scots in 1986, later transferring to the Scots guards and was promoted to captain the following year. He joined MI6 in 1991 and served operational intelligence duties in Europe and the Middle East.
He was MI6 station chief in Afghanistan during the US-led coalition against the Taliban in 2001 and subsequently led MI6’s counter-terrorism work in the three years running up to the London Olympic Games in 2012.
He served as “C”, the codename for the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, and was its longest-serving chief in 50 years. The former army officer was the 16th chief since MI6 was founded in 1909.
Nick Robinson, the BBC journalist who presents Radio 4’s Today programme, said he had become friends with Younger after he appeared on the programme.
Robinson wrote on X: “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.”
In 2016, Younger said that MI6’s most famous fictional agent, James Bond, was a blessing and curse for the organisation.
“I’m conflicted about Bond. He has created a powerful brand for MI6: as C, the real-life version of M, there are few people who will not come to lunch if I invite them. Many of our counterparts envy the sheer global recognition of our acronym,” he said.
