John ScarlettHead of MI6 - British domestic intelligence
Country: Great Britain
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John Scarlett - Head of MI6 and Former Moscow Bureau Chief
John Scarlett, the head of MI6, the internal British intelligence agency, was born in 1948. From a young age, he demonstrated various talents and was soon rewarded with the opportunity of a free education at Oxford. After graduating from university, John joined the intelligence service, where he quickly caught the attention of the leadership.
In 1973, Scarlett was sent on assignment to Kenya, which had always been a haven for British intelligence. There, he had the opportunity to learn from exceptional teachers, including the renowned spy, Anthony Terry. The early 1970s were a challenging time for Kenya, as widespread hunting of people was taking place. Both local officials and foreign tourists were among the victims. John Scarlett actively fought against the criminals, skillfully investigating murders and effectively combating kidnappings. He rapidly honed his skills, collaborating with his Italian, French, and Israeli colleagues. By 1976, John had become an experienced and highly professional spy.
In the same year, he was sent to Russia. Scarlett's residency in Russia had its consequences. Not only did he gain recognition as an excellent high-level spy, but he also developed a deep love for the country. John spoke Russian fluently and even named his own daughters with Russian names. His second, and final, visit to Russia took place in 1991 when he was appointed as the head of MI6. Although in 1994, Britain and Russia signed an agreement to conduct joint operations against international crime, Scarlett's activities did not fully satisfy Russian special services, and soon the British spy was sent back home.
Returning to Britain, Scarlett took a position in the MI6 internal security services and in the early 2000s became the head of the Joint Intelligence Committee. The news of John Scarlett's appointment to this position was met with widespread approval in the British intelligence community. It is not surprising, as John is still considered one of the most brilliant and exceptional spies to this day.