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Wife of Would-Be Brit Spy Chief Blows Cover on Facebook

Posts beach trip photos, location information

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2009 8:33 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Britain’s incoming spy chief has blown his cover even before he takes office this fall, thanks to his wife, who posted family pictures on Facebook—without that pesky privacy protection, the Daily Telegraph reports. Anyone in the London network could see vacation photos of the soon-to-be head of MI6 kicking back with his famous friends. Sir John Sawers' wife even posted information about the family’s location.

One member of Parliament called for an investigation to see if Sawers had been compromised by the photos, the Daily Mail notes. “Normally, I would welcome greater openness in government for officials or politicians, but this type of exposure verges on the reckless,” he said. The newspaper alerted Britain’s Foreign Office to the photos, which were immediately taken down.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, left, speaks with British Foreign Secretary David Milliband, right, and Britain's Ambassador to the UN, John Sawers, earlier this year.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, left, speaks with British Foreign Secretary David Milliband, right, and Britain's Ambassador to the UN, John Sawers, earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
John Sawers, currently the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to the media last year.
John Sawers, currently the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to the media last year.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Britain's Ambassador to the UN John Sawers addresses members of the Security Council last year. He has been appointed as the new head of the country's MI6 overseas spy agency.
Britain's Ambassador to the UN John Sawers addresses members of the Security Council last year. He has been appointed as the new head of the country's MI6 overseas spy agency.   (AP Photo/David Karp/file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
JohnnyDummkopf
Jul 6, 2009 4:12 AM CDT
Harumph harumph!
DeniseVB
Jul 5, 2009 3:30 AM CDT
My son was working covert for Obama's Inauguration, so I could only post a photo of the back of his head. Gotta be careful, so I only use the photos he posts on facebook to be sure I won't "out" him.
NotEvsie
Jul 5, 2009 3:26 AM CDT
His appointment was common knowledge... but that's a long step from disclosing the whereabouts of his mother and children! Just a careless mistake by his wife (who is, presumably, untrained in the art of spies... or common sense, come to think of it) which could have had potentially terrible consequences.

 
Facebook • photograph • MI6 • Britain • John Sawers

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