Fact Check: Blaise Metreweli was appointed as the first female chief of MI6 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 15, 2025.

Fact Check: "Blaise Metreweli was appointed as the first female chief of MI6 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 15, 2025."

What We Know

On June 15, 2025, Blaise Metreweli was officially announced as the first female Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This appointment marks a historic moment in the agency's 116-year history, as Metreweli will be the 18th chief and the first woman to hold this position (source-1, source-2). Prior to her appointment, Metreweli served as the Director General for Technology and Innovation at MI6 and has been a career intelligence officer since joining the service in 1999 (source-3, source-4).

Analysis

The claim that Blaise Metreweli was appointed as the first female chief of MI6 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 15, 2025, is accurate in terms of the appointment itself. However, the assertion that she was appointed by "Prime Minister Keir Starmer" is misleading. While Starmer is indeed the Prime Minister at the time of the announcement, the phrasing suggests a direct action that may not encompass the broader context of the appointment process, which involves various governmental procedures and approvals (source-5, source-6).

Moreover, the claim does not specify that the appointment is set to take effect later in the year, as Metreweli will succeed Sir Richard Moore, who is leaving the service in the autumn of 2025 (source-4). This detail is crucial for understanding the timeline of the appointment.

The sources used for this analysis are credible, including official government announcements, reputable news outlets, and established media organizations. Each source corroborates the details of Metreweli's appointment and her background, ensuring a reliable basis for the information presented.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. While Blaise Metreweli was indeed appointed as the first female chief of MI6 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 15, 2025, the claim lacks context regarding the timing of her official start date and the broader appointment process. The phrasing could mislead readers into thinking that the appointment is immediate and solely a direct action by Starmer, which is not entirely accurate.

Sources

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