MI5 chief warns of Russia’s attempt to create “mayhem” in UK

Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, has warned that Russia is trying to create “mayhem” on UK streets, citing increased threats from “Putin’s henchmen” and “plot after plot” from Iran.

The UK’s counter-terrorism efforts are divided roughly 75% Islamist and 25% extreme right-wing, with a “dizzying range of beliefs and ideologies” fueled by online hatred, conspiracy theories, and disinformation.

In his first major speech in two years, McCallum highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that his team has “a hell of a job on its hands.” The UK faces resurgent terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda and IS, as well as state-sponsored terrorism from Iran and Russia.

McCallum revealed that state threat work has risen 48% in a year, with MI5 and police responding to 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed plots since January 2022.
He warned that Iran’s threat has increased “at an unprecedented scale,” with both Iran and Russia using proxies to “do their dirty work.”
He had a message to criminals considering taking on work for hostile states, saying: “If you take money from Iran, Russia or any other state to carry out illegal acts in the UK, you will bring the full weight of the national security apparatus down on you. It’s a choice you’ll regret.”