Former MI6 spy chief Alex Younger has died aged 62

LONDON — LONDON (AP) — Prince William and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have paid tribute to former MI6 spy chief Alex Younger after his death at the age of 62.

Younger was the head of the U.K.’s foreign intelligence agency, the Secret Intelligence Service, from 2014 to 2020. He was the first person to hold the post publicly known as “C.” The government announced that he passed away on Tuesday after battling cancer.

BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson revealed that Younger humorously named his tumor “Putin” after the Russian president following his cancer diagnosis.

Prince William, who had interned at British intelligence agencies in 2019, praised Younger for exemplifying the values of integrity, courage, and commitment to protecting the country and its people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer lauded Younger for his dedication to public service and national security.

Blaise Metreweli, the current MI6 head, described Younger as a symbol of integrity, courage, creativity, and respect, highlighting his significant contributions to global security.

Educated at St. Andrews University, Younger served in the British army before joining MI6 in 1991. He played key roles in operations in the Western Balkans, Afghanistan post-9/11, and as head of counterterrorism during the 2012 London Olympics.

Younger acknowledged the unique challenges and rewards of working as a spy, mentioning the influence of fictional character James Bond on MI6’s reputation.

Despite the glamour associated with spies like Bond, Younger emphasized the importance of integrity and adaptability in modern intelligence work.