What's New
The Security Service does not have a Press Office and does not comment on intelligence matters. The Home Office issues statements relating to our work from time to time and we link to these on this page, along with any other relevant official announcements. This page also highlights new features added to our website. Earlier news items may be accessed via the archive links on the right.
PRE-CHARGE DETENTION LIMITS (09.06.08)
Jonathan Evans, Director General of the Security Service, has issued a statement concerning recent media reporting on the issue of pre-detention time limits. Please click on the headline to read the statement.
RELEASE OF FILES BY THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (04.03.08)
The National Archives have today released the latest set of historical Security Service files, bringing the total on public display to nearly 4,000. Most of the files relate to the Second World War, though many cover the inter-war and post-war periods as well. Some of the most notable relate to the left-wing actress and producer Joan Littlewood; the Hungarian astrologer Louis de Wohl, who was employed by the Special Operations Executive on the assumption that as Hitler was believed to be influenced heavily by astrology, the British could influence his thinking by employing their own official astrologer; Dennis Kendall, the MP for Grantham and Cleethorpes, who was believed to be involved in gun-running, smuggling and other black market activities; and the British Free Corps, a military unit staffed by British PoWs who had been recruited by the Germans to fight the Russians. For more information, please click on this item's headline.
TERRORIST RECRUITERS CONVICTED (27.02.08)
Four London men have been found guilty and another three have admitted a range of terrorist offences in a five-month trial held at Woolwich Crown Court. The court heard that the ringleaders of the group sought to radicalise young men in London and encourage them to murder non-Muslims. For more information, please click on this item's headline.
POLICE LAUNCH NEW COUNTER-TERRORISM CAMPAIGN (25.02.08)
The Metropolitan Police has launched a new public counter-terrorism campaign which will run in Greater London, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands for five weeks from today. The campaign urges people to trust their instincts and pass on information about any unusual activity or behaviour. Advertisements will run in newspapers, radio stations and on the Internet. For more information please click on this item's headline.
CONVICTIONS IN SOLDIER KIDNAP PLOT (18.02.08)
Five conspirators in a plot to kidnap and behead a soldier in Birmingham have been sentenced today in a trial at Leicester Crown Court. The five, who were residents of the West Midlands, were convicted on charges under the Terrorism Act 2006. Parviz Khan, the ringleader, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 14 years and the other four were sentenced to between two and seven years' imprisonment. Please click on this item's headline for more information.
