Denis Payne
Denis Payne was a senior MI5 officer who served in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.
Payne relived the MI6 officer based at Stormont Castle at some point in late 1973/early 1974.[1] According to Paul Foot, Payne's appointment, with the new title of 'Chief of Intelligence' marked the point at which Northern Ireland became an MI5 preserve at MI6's expense.[2]
Clockwork Orange
According to Paul Foot, Payne presided over the creation of the Clockwork Orange Psychological Warfare operation:
- Not long after the change-over from MI6 to MI5 was completed, Colin was called to a high-level conference at Stormont. Senior MI5 officers were there, including Denis Payne. The subject of discussion was a new initiative to meet the deteriorating security crisis and to stem the rising tide of sectarian assasinations. A top secret information offensive was proposed. Its codename was to become 'Clockwork Orange'.[3]
