MI5 C Branch
C Branch is a defunct division of MI5.
Contents
History
C Branch was created in 1938, initially with only one officer, with responsibility for vetting candidates for sensitive Civil Service positions, and foreign-born candidates for commissions in the armed forces.[1] C Division retained responsibility for vetting in MI5's reorganisation of 1941.[2] In Dick White's 1953 reorganisation, C branch retained responsibility for protective security.[3] In MI5's organisation as of 1994, C Branch was incorporated into D Branch.[4]
ICON exercise
C Branch devised and controlled an exercise codenamed ICON, a simulation of a terrorist attack on Stansted Airport which took place on 10 April 1973. The police, armed services, ministers and officials all took part. According to Christopher Andrew, the Home Office Police Department subsequently took over responsibility for counter-terrorist exercises, but C Branch continued to play a central role.[5]
Organisation
Directors
- H. I. Allen, c.1941.[6]
- Roger Hollis, c.1950.[7]
- Martin Furnival Jones, c.1953.[8]
- Bill Magan c.1963[9]
- Michael Hanley, c.1965.[10]
- David Horsley, c.1981-83.[11]
C1
Security policy in government.[12]
- Ian Hollands, section head, c.1981-83.[13]
C2
Vetting and security of government contractors.[14]
- John Snelling, section head, c.1981-83.[15]
C3
Vetting of government department staff, the police and armed forces.[16]
- Sir Graham Lake, Bt. Section head, c.1981-83.[17]
C4
Counter-sabotage section. Ran execrcises with the SAS and police. Drawing up contingency plans to deal with possible terrorist attacks.[18]
- Cecil Shipp, Section head, c.1971.[19]
- Harold Magnay, section head, c.1981-83.[20]
Other officers
- David Sutherland[21]
- Julian Faux, c.1971[22]
- Sandy Stuart, c.1972.[23]
- Ronald Symonds
Notes
- ↑ 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.237.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.864.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.615.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.237.
- ↑ Chapman Pincher, Treachery: Betrayals, Blunders and Cover-Ups: Six Decades of espionage, Mainstream Publishing, 2012, p.341.
- ↑ Richard Norton-Taylor, OBITUARY: SPYCATCHER GENERAL; Sir Martin Furnival Jones, The Guardian, 6 March 1997.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.398.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.536.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.609.
- ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.613.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.607.
- ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.612.
