Britain more secure inside European Union: Former spy chiefs

The intelligence experts’ joint interview in the Sunday Times newspaper emphasized their view that EU membership meant Britain could shape key policies on sharing anti-terror intelligence.

Britain’s former spy chiefs have asked voters to keep the United Kingdom inside the European Union, arguing that the alliance gives their nation an edge in gathering anti-terrorist intelligence and underpins continental peace.

Former head of the British secret intelligence service (MI6), John Sawers speaks at King's College. Britain’s former spy chiefs have asked voters to keep the United Kingdom inside the European Union. (AP)

Sunday’s published appeal by former MI5 director-general Jonathan Evans and former MI6 chief John Sawers sparked a fierce rebuttal from campaigners seeking a British exit from the 28-nation EU in the June 23 referendum.

The intelligence experts’ joint interview in the Sunday Times newspaper emphasized their view that EU membership meant Britain could shape key policies on sharing anti-terror intelligence. Sawers said in an accompanying video interview that a British exit would weaken the bloc and potentially promote its political unraveling.

Pro-exit campaigners countered that a non-EU Britain would share intelligence unhindered and defend its borders better.