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Next MI6 chief in security row

LONDON: The incoming MI6 chief, Sir John Sawers, was on Sunday embroiled in an embarrassing row after his wife put family photographs, including his, and other personal details on Facebook prompting calls for an inquiry into whether it amounted to a security breach.

Sir John, who is British Ambassador to the United Nations, is due to take over as head of MI6 in November.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband was forced to defend him amid allegations that his wife had risked compromising Sir John’s security by revealing information about his friends, his work habits and where he took holidays. Mr. Miliband denied any security breach.

“It is not a state secret that he wears Speedo swimming trunks, for goodness sake let’s grow up. He is an outstanding professional who will do a really good job in an outstanding organisation,” he told the BBC.

The Opposition however said the disclosure was damaging and called for an inquiry. “A great deal of taxpayers” money has been spent over the past several decades making sure he and his family are protected from security compromises.

“Well, it doesn’t seem to be very relevant anymore, does it?” asked senior Tory MP and chairman of Parliament’s counter-terrorism subcommittee Patrick Mercer.

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