LONDON – Britain’s former spy chiefs have asked voters to keep the United Kingdom inside the European Union, arguing that the alliance gives their nation an edge in gathering anti-terror intelligence and underpins continental peace.
Sunday’s published appeal by former MI5 director-general Jonathan Evans and former MI6 chief John Sawers sparked a fierce rebuttal from campaigners seeking a British exit from the 28-nation EU in the June 23 referendum.
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The intelligence experts’ joint interview in the Sunday Times newspaper emphasized their view that EU membership meant Britain could shape key policies on sharing anti-terror intelligence. Sawers said in an accompanying video interview that a British exit would weaken the bloc and potentially promote its political unraveling.
Pro-exit campaigners countered that a non-EU Britain would share intelligence unhindered and defend its borders better.