Fact Check: Richard Moore, the outgoing MI6 chief, expressed a desire for his successor to be a woman, stating in 2023 that he would help forge women’s equality by ensuring he was the last C selected from an all-male shortlist.

Fact Check: Richard Moore's Statement on Women's Equality in MI6 Leadership

What We Know

In 2023, Richard Moore, the outgoing chief of MI6, made a statement regarding his desire for his successor to be a woman. He expressed this sentiment on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating he would "help forge women's equality by working to ensure I'm the last C selected from an all-male shortlist" (AP News, Washington Post). This statement reflects a broader initiative within MI6 to enhance diversity and inclusion in its leadership roles, particularly as the agency had never before appointed a female chief since its inception in 1909 (Independent).

In March 2025, it was announced that Blaise Metreweli would become the first female chief of MI6, succeeding Moore (AP News). This appointment was seen as a significant milestone for the agency, which has been working to improve its recruitment processes and promote gender equality within its ranks (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Richard Moore expressed a desire for his successor to be a woman is accurate, as evidenced by his own words shared on X. He explicitly stated his intention to ensure that he would be the last chief selected from an all-male shortlist (AP News, Washington Post). This statement aligns with MI6's ongoing efforts to address gender disparities within its leadership.

However, the claim's context may be misinterpreted. While Moore's statement indicates a proactive stance towards gender equality, it does not imply that he was solely responsible for the appointment of a female successor. The selection process for the new chief involved multiple candidates from various backgrounds, and ultimately, the decision was made by the government, which opted for an internal candidate with a strong background in intelligence and technology (AP News, Independent).

The sources reporting on Moore's statement are credible, including major news outlets like the Associated Press and The Washington Post, which are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking protocols. However, the interpretation of Moore's statement as a definitive commitment to appoint a woman may oversimplify the complexities of the selection process and the broader institutional changes occurring within MI6.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

While Richard Moore did express a desire for his successor to be a woman, the claim that he would ensure he was the last C selected from an all-male shortlist lacks the nuance of the actual selection process. His statement reflects a personal commitment to gender equality rather than a guarantee of action that directly led to the appointment of a female successor. The appointment of Blaise Metreweli as the first female chief of MI6 is a significant development, but it resulted from a broader recruitment strategy rather than solely from Moore's intentions.

Sources

1. Richard - Wikipedia
2. Britain's MI6 spy agency gets its first female chief
3. Britain's MI6 spy agency gets its first female chief
4. MI6 has never had a female spy chief. That could be about ...
5. Meaning, origin and history of the name Richard
6. MI6 chief vows to 'forge women's equality', starting with his ...
7. Richard Name Meaning, Origin, History, And Popularity
8. Richard Name Meaning: History, Gender & Pronunciation - Mom ...