MI5 has been forced to reduce its focus on counter-terrorism due to the growing threat from hostile states, according to Ken McCallum, the agency’s director general.
In a recent interview, McCallum stated that MI5 is having to make “uncomfortable choices” as it shifts resources to combat increasing aggression from nations like Russia, China, and Iran. “We now face much, much more aggression from nation states,” McCallum said. He explained that after a period of relative peace with sophisticated state threats, the situation has dramatically changed.
Shifting Priorities Amid Growing Threats
With limited resources, MI5 is having to prioritize state threats, which means scaling back its counter-terrorism efforts. McCallum emphasized the importance of investing in new technologies and skills to handle both immediate and future challenges. “We need to plan for the threats of tomorrow and for what the nation will need in five years,” he said.
In addition to the increased threat from Russia, McCallum highlighted that the number of state-related investigations has surged by 48% over the past year. He also expressed concern about the rise in the number of children being investigated for terrorism, pointing to the influence of online extremist ideologies.
The Cabinet Office confirmed that McCallum’s remarks were in line with previous public statements on the need for prioritization amidst increasing national security threats.