Director of British intelligence agency GCHQ resigns
Director of British intelligence agency GCHQ resigns
The Director of the British surveillance agency GCHQ Robert Hannigan has decided to step down as spy chief after more than two years in the post.
2 min read
GCHQ monitors the UK's communications for intelligence services [Getty]
The Director of the British surveillance agency GCHQ has announced his resignation, saying he is ready for a "change in direction".
Robert Hannigan, who has held the post since 2014, said he was proud of his work but that 20 years in public service roles had "demanded a great deal of my ever patient and understanding family".
"I have had the great privilege of leading the men and women of GCHQ since 2014. I am proud of what we have achieved in those years, not least setting up the National Cyber Security Centre and building greater public understanding of our intelligence work," Hannigan said in a letter to Foreign Minister Boris Johnson.
"I am equally proud of the relentless 24 hour operational effort against terrorism, crime and many other national security threats. While this work must remain secret, you will know how many lives have been saved in this country and overseas by the work of GCHQ."
He said the agency was now "well on the way to being fit for the next generation of security challenges to the UK in the digital age".
"After a good deal of thought I have decided that this is the right time to move on and to allow someone else to lead GCHQ through its next phase. I am, like you, a great enthusiast for our history and I think it is right that a new Director should be firmly embedded by our centenary in 2019.
GCHQ said in a statement: "In line with normal practice there will be an internal competition within Government to identify candidates to succeed Mr Hannigan, for onward recommendation to the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. In the meantime the Director and Board will continue to oversee all the department’s work."
Robert Hannigan, who has held the post since 2014, said he was proud of his work but that 20 years in public service roles had "demanded a great deal of my ever patient and understanding family".
"I have had the great privilege of leading the men and women of GCHQ since 2014. I am proud of what we have achieved in those years, not least setting up the National Cyber Security Centre and building greater public understanding of our intelligence work," Hannigan said in a letter to Foreign Minister Boris Johnson.
"I am equally proud of the relentless 24 hour operational effort against terrorism, crime and many other national security threats. While this work must remain secret, you will know how many lives have been saved in this country and overseas by the work of GCHQ."
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| Robert Hannigan had held the post since 2014 [©GCHQ 2014] |
"After a good deal of thought I have decided that this is the right time to move on and to allow someone else to lead GCHQ through its next phase. I am, like you, a great enthusiast for our history and I think it is right that a new Director should be firmly embedded by our centenary in 2019.
GCHQ said in a statement: "In line with normal practice there will be an internal competition within Government to identify candidates to succeed Mr Hannigan, for onward recommendation to the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. In the meantime the Director and Board will continue to oversee all the department’s work."
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