Difference between revisions of "Matthew Collins"
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| 2022 – Present || Executive Director National Security (DNSA) for Intelligence, Defence & Security || [[National Security Secretariat]] (Cabinet Office) || Senior role under [[Liz Truss]], [[Rishi Sunak]] and [[Keir Starmer]].<ref name="CollinsWitness">[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f002502adc28a81b4ad149/Statement_3.pdf Witness statement 3] ''GOV.UK'', accessed April 2026.</ref> | | 2022 – Present || Executive Director National Security (DNSA) for Intelligence, Defence & Security || [[National Security Secretariat]] (Cabinet Office) || Senior role under [[Liz Truss]], [[Rishi Sunak]] and [[Keir Starmer]].<ref name="CollinsWitness">[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f002502adc28a81b4ad149/Statement_3.pdf Witness statement 3] ''GOV.UK'', accessed April 2026.</ref> | ||
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== Testimony on career trajectory and NSS role == | == Testimony on career trajectory and NSS role == | ||
| − | In oral evidence to Parliament in 2025, [[Matthew Collins]] described his career | + | In oral evidence to Parliament in 2025, [[Matthew Collins]] described his career trajectory, noting he was recruited into senior national security roles by former National Security Adviser [[Mark Sedwill]]. |
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On the role and function of the National Security Secretariat (NSS): | On the role and function of the National Security Secretariat (NSS): | ||
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"The NSS supports the National Security Council and the Prime Minister on national security matters. We coordinate across government to ensure a joined-up approach to threats." | "The NSS supports the National Security Council and the Prime Minister on national security matters. We coordinate across government to ensure a joined-up approach to threats." | ||
| − | Collins emphasised the NSS's function in providing strategic advice and ensuring coherence in intelligence, defence and security policy.<ref name="Parliament">[https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/16349/html/ Parliamentary evidence session]</ref> | + | Collins referenced collaboration with colleagues including [[Dame Barbara Woodward]] and emphasised the NSS's function in providing strategic advice and ensuring coherence in intelligence, defence and security policy.<ref name="Parliament">[https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/16349/html/ Parliamentary evidence session]</ref> |
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== Involvement in Chinese spy case == | == Involvement in Chinese spy case == | ||
Revision as of 07:43, 22 June 2026
British intelligence officer and national security official
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| Occupation | Intelligence officer, national security official |
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Matthew Collins is a British intelligence officer and national security official. He has served in senior roles within the UK's national security apparatus, including as Executive Director for National Security (DNSA) under multiple Prime Ministers.
Career
Collins has decades of experience in national security. He previously served in various intelligence roles before becoming DNSA in 2022, working under Prime Ministers Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. He has been involved in providing witness statements in high-profile cases and has been described as a "doer not decider" in national security matters.[1][2]
Collins career timeline
| Period | Role | Organisation | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2022 | Various intelligence roles | UK intelligence community | Served in intelligence, defence and security positions.[3] |
| 2022 – Present | Executive Director National Security (DNSA) for Intelligence, Defence & Security | National Security Secretariat (Cabinet Office) | Senior role under Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.[4] |
Testimony on career trajectory and NSS role
In oral evidence to Parliament in 2025, Matthew Collins described his career trajectory, noting he was recruited into senior national security roles by former National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill.
On the role and function of the National Security Secretariat (NSS):
"The NSS supports the National Security Council and the Prime Minister on national security matters. We coordinate across government to ensure a joined-up approach to threats."
Collins referenced collaboration with colleagues including Dame Barbara Woodward and emphasised the NSS's function in providing strategic advice and ensuring coherence in intelligence, defence and security policy.[5]
Involvement in Chinese spy case
In 2025, Matthew Collins, as Deputy National Security Adviser, was identified as the key civil servant whose decisions and delayed witness statement contributed to the collapse of a high-profile prosecution against two men accused of spying for China. The case collapse led to scrutiny of government handling of sensitive intelligence in prosecutions.[6] Prosecutors said they had waited over 14 months for a statement from Collins regarding the national security threat posed by the suspects. The case, which involved allegations of espionage against the UK, collapsed amid controversy over government handling of sensitive intelligence in legal proceedings.[7][8]
Collins' witness statement (Statement 1) addressed the government's position on the case. The collapse led to questions about coordination between the Crown Prosecution Service, intelligence agencies, and senior officials under the Starmer government.[9]
Notes
- ↑ The Times profile
- ↑ National Security and Intelligence - About us GOV.UK
- ↑ National Security and Intelligence - About us GOV.UK, accessed April 2026.
- ↑ Witness statement 3 GOV.UK, accessed April 2026.
- ↑ Parliamentary evidence session
- ↑ Telegraph report
- ↑ Sky News report
- ↑ Independent report
- ↑ Collins witness statement