British Intelligence — Spy Chief Stella Rimington

SpyCast

Education, News, History

4.4 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 16 March 2021

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As we gear up for an exciting new Spring program – which will feature a number of changes including a content overhaul and improved audio – we are releasing some of our greatest hits from the vault. Back in 2007 Dame Stella Rimington, former Director-General of MI5, spoke about British intelligence past and present and compared British and American approaches to intelligence. She was the first female Director General of the Security Service (better known by its three letter abbreviation, MI5) and her autobiography is entitled, Open Secret: The Autobiography of the Former Director-General of MI5. She is also the author of a number of novels. Most recently in her “Liz Carlyle” series are, The Moscow Sleepers (2018) and Breaking Cover (2016). During her 30+ year career, she worked in all the main fields of MI5’s area of responsibility: counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism. During Dame Stella’s watch, MI5 moved towards greater openness, so it is fitting that this interview is with a former CIA Director of Media Relations, The International Spy Museum’s former Executive Director Peter Earnest. Suggested pairings: How Spies Think – Spy Chief David Omand (Nov 24, 2020) The MI5 Centenary (Dec 1, 2009)

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to The CyberWire Network, powered by N2K.
0:11.0	Hi and welcome to Spycast, from the Secret Files of the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
0:19.0	I'm Dr. Andrew Hammond, the Museum's historian and curator.
0:24.0	Every week, Spycast brings you interesting conversations from authors, scholars and practitioners
0:31.0	who live in the world of global espionage.
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0:39.0	or if you want to suggest someone who might be a good future guest,
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0:58.0	We're always looking for ways to make Spycast better and you can help.
1:09.0	My guest today is Dame Stella Remington,
1:12.0	who was the first woman director general of the British Security Service,
1:17.0	that is the Domestic Security Service MI5.
1:21.0	The closest counterpart in our country would of course be those elements of the FBI which cover domestic security.
1:28.0	As a director general, she was recognized both for accomplishment as being both the first woman director general,
1:35.0	as well as her performance in that capacity.
1:38.0	She has continued to speak out on public issues,
1:42.0	she has continued to pursue a career as both an author,
1:46.0	her novels at risk and secret asset both being available now in the United States,
1:51.0	as well as her autobiography.
1:54.0	And it is just delightful to have you here, Stella.
	...

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