Fact Check: Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6, the U.K.'s foreign intelligence agency, as announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 18, 2025.

Fact Check: "Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6, the U.K.'s foreign intelligence agency, as announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 18, 2025."

What We Know

On March 18, 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). This marks a historic moment as she becomes the 18th chief in the agency's 116-year history. Metreweli, who has been with MI6 since 1999, is currently the Director General for Technology and Innovation and has previously held director-level roles in MI5, the domestic security agency. She will succeed Sir Richard Moore, who is set to leave the position in the autumn of 2025. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of this appointment during a time of unprecedented threats to the UK, stating that Metreweli's leadership will be crucial for national security (BBC, AP News).

Analysis

The claim regarding Blaise Metreweli's appointment is supported by multiple credible sources. The official announcement from the UK government confirms her historic appointment as the first female chief of MI6, highlighting her extensive experience and the significance of her role at a time when the UK faces various security challenges (source-1, source-4).

Furthermore, the BBC and other major news outlets have reported on the announcement, reiterating the importance of Metreweli's experience and the context of her appointment. The sources provide consistent information regarding her background and the responsibilities she will undertake as the head of MI6 (source-2, source-5).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they include official government announcements and reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. There is no evidence of misinformation or conflicting reports regarding this appointment.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6, as announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 18, 2025, is accurate. The information is corroborated by multiple credible sources, including the UK government and major news outlets, confirming both the appointment and its historical significance.

Sources

1. First ever female MI6 chief appointed
2. Blaise Metreweli appointed as MI6's first female chief
3. Britain's MI6 spy agency gets its first female chief
4. Britain appoints first female head of MI6 spy agency
5. British prime minister names first woman to lead MI6
6. Britain's MI6 spy agency gets its first female chief
7. UK appoints Blaise Metreweli first woman head of MI6 spy
8. Blaise Metreweli appointed as first female head of MI6