Former UK Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore named new MI6 chief

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The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom (UK) has announced that Richard Moore, former UK Ambassador to Turkey, will take over as the Director General of the MI6, the foreign intelligence service of the UK.

As reported by The Independent, Moore will replace Sir Alex Younger when he steps down as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) in autumn.

Having served as an ambassador to Turkey from January 2014 to December 2017, Richard Moore has held the senior post of director general for political affairs at the Foreign Office since 2018.

Moore is due to start in his new position in the autumn and is expected to serve five years in the job.

'A highly accomplished intelligence officer'

In response to this new appointment, Sir Alex Younger has said that he is "delighted" by the appointment of his successor, whom he has described as "a highly accomplished intelligence officer", adding, "We look forward to welcoming him back to the Service."

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has also briefly said:

"I am delighted to appoint Richard as the next chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. He returns to SIS with tremendous experience and will oversee the work of a group of men and women whose tireless efforts are rarely seen in public, but which are critical for the security and prosperity of the UK.

"I pay tribute to Sir Alex Younger for everything he has done during his time leading the Secret Intelligence Service. He has carefully and effectively guided the service during a time of increased and more diverse threats."

Commenting on his appointment, Moore himself has also stated:

"I am pleased and honoured to be asked to return to lead my service. SIS plays a vital role – with MI5 and GCHQ – in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas. I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave and dedicated team at SIS."

'It is impossible to not be a fan of Beşiktaş'

Born in Libya, Moore served as the UK ambassador to Turkey from January 2014 to December 2017, and has also been a deputy national security adviser. A fluent Turkish speaker, he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford and first joined MI6 in 1987.

While he was in Turkey, he was known to be a keen fan of Beşiktaş football club. "It is impossible to not be a fan of Beşiktaş," he previously said about it. He also served at the Executive Board of the club. (PT/SD)