Britain’s new spy chief has revealed on social media that he wants disabled people to join MI6.
Richard Moore said his wife, who is blind and helped establish the Turkish Guide Dogs Association, was an “inspiration” behind his idea.
The Mirror reported that Moore, who took up the job in October, is on a mission to bring diversity to the country’s Secret Intelligence Service.
He tweeted: “Married as I am to an inspiring blind woman, I feel particularly strongly about making #SIS #MI6 a better place for disabled people.”
The Mirror said his views were backed up by the British ambassador to Panama Damion Potter, who replied: “Totally agree. We should be accessible to all. When my brother was born with cerebral palsy the doctors said he would never draw a circle. 40+ years later he is married, with three kids, has a job, a degree and more. However, he still can’t draw a circle.”
The Mirror quoted one intelligence source as praising Moore for publicly stating that disabled people can play a vital role in Britain’s security.
According to the newspaper the source said: “Richard Moore arrived at MI6 like a breath of fresh air. Everyone in the intelligence community is very pleased that he has said this. But you might ask why it has taken so long for a head of MI6 to take this stance.”
The Mirror reported there is already a team inside MI6 who use the codename Scooter and whose role is to develop awareness of disability.
It wadded the unit was inspired by SIS’s first chief, Sir Mansfield Cumming, who transported himself around the corridors of Whitehall on a scooter after losing his leg in a car accident.
The Mirror quotes the MI6 website: “We equip managers with the information they need to talk openly about disability, advise colleagues and provide staff with the right support. Our name (Scooter) expresses our core belief – that any person with a disability is capable of achieving their ambitions.”
