Warwick International Security Professor says Britain is spying on the EU

Warwick’s distinguished International Security professor, Richard Aldrich, has commented that the MI5, Britain’s high powered intelligence agency, is probably spying on EU member states ahead of the next round of Brexit negotiations.

His recently published book, ‘The Black Door: Spies, Secret Intelligence and British Prime Ministers’, which he co-wrote with Rory Cormac, associate professor of international relations at the University of Nottingham, details the evolving history of the UK Government’s strategic use of intelligence agencies.

The book revealed that British spies provided former Prime Minister John Major with insider information as he negotiated the Maastricht Treaty in the early 1990s. Both academics have pointed out that based on logic and historical precedent, it should not come as a surprise that Britain is possibly spying again. Professor Cormac said: “The job of intelligence agencies is to protect Britain’s interests. It should be within their remit”.

“The job of intelligence agencies is to protect Britain’s interests. It should be within their remit.”

Additionally, information leaked by Edward Snowden, former US government contractor, has shown that the UK spies on its allies ahead of international summits such as G-20 and G-8. Professor Aldrich said: “Spies aren’t embarrassed about this. If you’re a spy it’s your job to spy on people. It causes a wry smile in the intelligence agencies around the world”.

This is not the first-time the involvement of British intelligence in Brexit talks has come under attack. Earlier this year, the European Commission installed ‘Mission Impossible’ style fingerprint scanners to increase security protecting its Brexit team, amid fears that the MI5 may be eavesdropping on the upcoming tense EU-Brexit negotiations.

Professor Aldrich said: “The targets were primarily individual countries, trying to find their red lines. Anything that’s circulating at EU level is going so widely, it ceases to be a secret”.

Theresa May’s office has declined to comment. Brexit talks resume in Brussels on Thursday.