Incoming MI6 chief in Facebook security slip



LONDON - Photographs and personal details about the next head of Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service, John Sawers, were removed Sunday from social networking website Facebook after a British newspaper published them.
The Mail on Sunday newspaper had printed pictures and family information which it had obtained from Facebook pages attributed to his wife Lady Shelley Sawers.



Incoming MI6 chief in Facebook security slip
"The information has been taken out," a Foreign Office spokesman told AFP when questioned about the matter.
The newspaper added that the Facebook pages revealed details about where they live and work, who their friends are and where they go on holiday, and included a picture of Sawers in his swimming trunks.
Sawers, currently Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, was named last month as the new head of its MI6 foreign intelligence service, who is traditionally known by his James Bond-style moniker "C."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, speaking on BBC television, described Sawers as an "outstanding professional" and brushed off the story.
"He was appointed 10 days ago to be the head of MI6; he's an outstanding professional who will do a really good job in an outstanding organisation that does a huge amount for this country," Miliband said.
He added: "The fact that there's a picture (showing) that the head of the MI6 goes swimming. Wow, that really is exciting.
"It is not a state secret that he wears Speedo swimming trunks. For goodness' sake, let's grow up."
Sawers, who is 53, will take over at MI6, or the Secret Intelligence Service, in November, replacing John Scarlett who has spent more than five years in the job.
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Sunday, July 5th 2009
AFP
           


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