Britain recruiting gay spies: report

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

LONDON, (AFP) — Britain's domestic intelligence agency is actively recruiting gay spies and wants its staff to be more open about their sexuality, the Financial Times reported Monday.

The chief executive of Stonewall, a gay rights lobby group, told the business daily it had been hired by the Security Service -- better known as MI5 -- to help the agency encourage more gay applicants for positions.

"Historically, public services were delivered by the man from the ministry, who was white and heterosexual and got the 4:30 pm (train) back to Tunbridge Wells every afternoon," Ben Summerskill said.

"This (move by MI5) is recognition that the establishment is changing and slowly becoming more reflective of wider society."

Britain's intelligence agencies have...