MI5 D Branch
D Branch is the division of MI5 responsible for non-terrorist threats and protective security, including counter-espionage. It is one of four operational branches which report to the Deputy Director General of the Security Service.[1]
History
The designation 'D Branch' has been applied to a variety of functions over the course of MI5's history.
1916-Imperial Intelligence
The earliest version of D Branch was created in 1916, shortly after the foundation of MI5, to cover imperial and overseas (including Irish) intelligence.[2]
1938-Protective Security
- Main Page MI5 D Branch (1938-53)
By 1929, MI5 had been reduced to two branches, A and B.[3] In 1938, D Branch was re-established with responsibility for protective security in munitions, aircraft factories and dockyards.[4]
1953-Counter-espionage
- Main Page: MI5 D Branch 1953-68
In Dick White's 1953 re-organisation of the Service, D Branch became the division responsible for counter-espionage.[5]
In 1968, Michael Hanley was appointed head of D Branch, and carried out a re-organisation which led to its replacement with MI5 K Branch.[6]
1994-Non-terrorist threats
In MI5's organisation as of 1994, D Branch had been re-established. Its current incarnation includes elements of the former C Branch, F Branch and K Branch.
Organisation
Sections
- D1: Vetting of non-MI5 personnel.
- D4: Counter-espionage. Targets include Russia and China.
- D5: D Branch agent runners.[7]
Notes
- ↑ Michael Smith, The Spying Game, Politico's, 2003, pp.129-130.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.84.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.127.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.134.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327.
- ↑ Peter Wright, Spycatcher: The Candid Autobiography of Senior Intelligence Officer, Viking, 1987, pp.332-334.
- ↑ Mark Hollingsworth and Nick Fielding, Defending the Realm: Inside MI5 and The War on Terrorism, André Deutsch, 2003, pp.320-321.