Difference between revisions of "John Rennie"
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| + | {{Infobox person | ||
| + | | name = Sir John Ogilvy Rennie | ||
| + | | birth_date = 13 January 1914 | ||
| + | | death_date = 30 September 1981 | ||
| + | | occupation = Diplomat; Chief of SIS | ||
| + | }} | ||
'''Sir John Ogilvy Rennie''', KCMG (13 January 1914 – 30 September 1981), was the 6th 'C' ie Director of the [[Secret Intelligence Service]] (MI6) from 1968–1973. | '''Sir John Ogilvy Rennie''', KCMG (13 January 1914 – 30 September 1981), was the 6th 'C' ie Director of the [[Secret Intelligence Service]] (MI6) from 1968–1973. | ||
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On January 15, 1973, Sir John's son was arrested for an alleged involvement in the importation of large quantities of heroin from Hong Kong. Sir John retired not long after. | On January 15, 1973, Sir John's son was arrested for an alleged involvement in the importation of large quantities of heroin from Hong Kong. Sir John retired not long after. | ||
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| + | ==Resignation== | ||
| + | In January 1973 Rennie's son and daughter-in-law appeared at the Old Bailey on a narcotics charge. The government issued a D-Notice to keep the case out of the press, but the German magazine ''Stern'' named Rennie as the son's father and as head of SIS. ''Time'' reported that he brought his retirement forward by eleven months.<ref>[https://time.com/archive/6840716/britain-cs-busted-cover/ Britain: C's Busted Cover], ''Time'', 1973.</ref> SIS lists him among its former Chiefs.<ref>[https://www.sis.gov.uk/about-us/our-chief/ Our Chief], Secret Intelligence Service, accessed 16 October 2026.</ref> | ||
==Affilaitions== | ==Affilaitions== | ||
| − | [[Countryside Movement]] (Board circa 1996)<ref>[http://www.tlio.org.uk/pubs/le3say.html So what is the Countryside Movement up to?] Judy Say, LAND ESSAYS 3, The Land Is Ours</ref> | + | [[Countryside Movement]] (Board circa 1996)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090406090552/http://www.tlio.org.uk:80/pubs/le3say.html So what is the Countryside Movement up to?] Judy Say, LAND ESSAYS 3, The Land Is Ours</ref> |
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Old Wellingtonian|Rennie, John]][[Category:Balliol alumni|Rennie, John]][[Category:Spooks|Rennie, John]] | [[Category:Old Wellingtonian|Rennie, John]][[Category:Balliol alumni|Rennie, John]][[Category:Spooks|Rennie, John]] | ||
[[category:MI6|Rennie, John]][[Category:British Propaganda|Rennie, John]][[Category:IRD|Rennie, John]] | [[category:MI6|Rennie, John]][[Category:British Propaganda|Rennie, John]][[Category:IRD|Rennie, John]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:10, 16 October 2026
| Sir John Ogilvy Rennie | |
|---|---|
| Image | |
| Born | 13 January 1914 |
| Died | 30 September 1981 |
| Nationality | |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Diplomat; Chief of SIS |
| Known for | |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Education | |
| Predecessor | |
| Website | |
Sir John Ogilvy Rennie, KCMG (13 January 1914 – 30 September 1981), was the 6th 'C' ie Director of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from 1968–1973.
He was educated at Wellington College and Balliol College, Oxford.
Sir John commenced a career with the Foreign Office in 1946 and remained there in various capacities until his appointment to MI6 in 1968. His postings included First Secretary, UK Embassy in Washington DC 1949 to 1951, Head of Information Research 1953-58, Minister, UK Embassy in Buenos Aires Argentina from 1958 to 1960, Minister in Washington 1960 to 1963 and he served on the Civil Service Commission in 1966.
As Head of the Information Research Department of the Foreign Office, John Rennie ran one of the most controversial functions of the department. It is alleged that the IRD used the UK media to disseminate false information to foreign governments and funded anti-communist activities within the UK labour unions.
He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1967.
As a career diplomat, some considered him an unusual choice to head the Secret Intelligence Service. When appointed by then UK Foreign Secretary George Brown, his brief was to reform the organisation. One critic wrote "It is not very encouraging that the newly appointed Chief of the SIS is a lifelong diplomat of the usual education, stamp and age. Someone rougher is needed." While the intelligence services initially were suspicious of Rennie, his tough but fair approach won him admirers.
On January 15, 1973, Sir John's son was arrested for an alleged involvement in the importation of large quantities of heroin from Hong Kong. Sir John retired not long after.
Resignation
In January 1973 Rennie's son and daughter-in-law appeared at the Old Bailey on a narcotics charge. The government issued a D-Notice to keep the case out of the press, but the German magazine Stern named Rennie as the son's father and as head of SIS. Time reported that he brought his retirement forward by eleven months.[1] SIS lists him among its former Chiefs.[2]
Affilaitions
Countryside Movement (Board circa 1996)[3]
Notes
- ↑ Britain: C's Busted Cover, Time, 1973.
- ↑ Our Chief, Secret Intelligence Service, accessed 16 October 2026.
- ↑ So what is the Countryside Movement up to? Judy Say, LAND ESSAYS 3, The Land Is Ours