More than 4,000 people have reportedly answered the Government’s call for
more secret agents to help with the UK’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
The would-be spies present the recruitment agency being used by MI5 with a
huge challenge in selecting the right people and filtering out unsuitable
applicants.
Diversity will also be a key issue, with foreign language speakers and
ethnic minorities thought to be desperately needed in the fight against
Al-Queda.
Earlier this month, home secretary David Blunkett announced a major
recruitment drive at MI5 which is now looking to hire an extra 1,000
intelligence officers.
However, former MI5 intelligence officer and whistleblower David Shayler
criticised the agency’s HR practices and claims its upper class image is well
justified.
"Intelligence officers tend to be public school and Oxbridge
educated," he said.
He said the entire HR function should be outsourced to improve the way MI5
deals with personnel issues.
To see our special feature on MI5 go to www.personneltoday.com/goto/22906
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