Spy Review

The BBC was reporting yesterday that Asian MI5 and MI6 officers are speaking up to encourage more Asians and other ethnic minorities to join the service. (I do hate the term “ethnic minorities”!). This deep understanding of other cultures by having officers from those respective cultures is an invaluable tool for protecting the UK’s interests, and I applaud the security services for making such a strong move in the recruitment.

The interviews give a small insight into what the officers do in their day jobs, such as analysing intelligence and running informants (read: spies). Protecting British interests from security threats are a huge part of the work of the secret security services, and this requires information. In the most part, the security officers typically try to find individuals with access to sensitive information to spy for them.

It’s also interesting to see Muslim officers saying that their faith is actually compatible with the duty they have to their country. Muslim, British and Patriotic. This sends a very positive message to all cultures. Just because someone follows the Muslim faith, it does not mean that they are a terrorist. A message that the media are guilty of creating.

I have a simple point of view on different cultures, sexes, etc… if someone is good enough to do the job (and eligible in case of security clearance), then they should do the job. It doesn’t matter about sexuality, religion or sex.

Oh, and if you thought that working for MI5 and MI6 is just like you see on Spooks, you’re sadly wrong!