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Come in from the cold: not enough ethnic minority spies, say MPs

A screengrab from a recent MI6 TV ad campaign
A screengrab from a recent MI6 TV ad campaign

Britain's intelligence agencies are suffering from a “glaring lack” of ethnic minority spies in top jobs, a watchdog warned today.

Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said the three organisations it monitors, MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, had made progress in improving the diversity of their staff and had won accolades for efforts to help women, gay and lesbian staff prosper in their careers.

But it also warned that only GCHQ had any ethnic staff at a senior level as it called for greater efforts to ensure that talented employees from minority backgrounds are helped to rise through the ranks.

The committee added that this would not only benefit the individuals but was also an “operational imperative” to aid national security by ensuring that Britain’s spies were drawn from the widest possible pool of talent.

Dominic Grieve said there was 'still much to be done' to recruit more spies from ethnic minorities (AFP/Getty Images)
Dominic Grieve said there was 'still much to be done' to recruit more spies from ethnic minorities (AFP/Getty Images)

Dominic Grieve, the Conservative former minister who chairs the committee, said that there was “still much to be done” and added: “In an increasingly competitive employment market it is important that the UK intelligence community is able to attract and draw upon the skill, talent and experience of all sectors of our society — to reflect, protect and promote our values, and keep our nation safe.

“It is essential that these organisations reflect the UK of today with a diverse and inclusive workforce.

“Diversity encourages challenge, drives innovation and ensures better decision-making — whilst this is important in any organisation or sector, it is an operational imperative for the intelligence community.”

Mr Grieve conceded that the agencies faced “challenges” including slow and “bureaucratic” vetting procedures, nationality rules, and “inaccurate and outdated” public perceptions.

He praised staff networks within the agencies that supported diversity and the “personal commitment” of the heads of each organisations to the issue.

But he added: “At senior levels, in particular, the intelligence community is still not gender-balanced and does not fully reflect the ethnic make-up of modern Britain.”