Difference between revisions of "MI5/F Branch"

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{{group
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|start=1941
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|type=intelligence agency
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|interests=counter-subversion
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|leaders=MI5/F_Branch/Director
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}}
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==History==
 
==History==
 
In its earliest incarnation, F Branch was responsible for preventive intelligence in the [[MI5]] organisation of 1916.<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.84.</ref>
 
In its earliest incarnation, F Branch was responsible for preventive intelligence in the [[MI5]] organisation of 1916.<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.84.</ref>
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In [[Dick White]]'s 1953 re-organisation, F Branch had responsibility for counter-subversion at home, while [[MI5 E Branch|E Branch]] was responsible for counter-subversion in the British Empire and Commonwealth.<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327.</ref>
 
In [[Dick White]]'s 1953 re-organisation, F Branch had responsibility for counter-subversion at home, while [[MI5 E Branch|E Branch]] was responsible for counter-subversion in the British Empire and Commonwealth.<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327.</ref>
  
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In 1976, Director General [[Michael Hanley]] established a separate FX branch to deal with Irish terrorism. Its director continued to report to the director of F Branch.
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In 1976, Director General [[Michael Hanley]] established a separate FX branch to deal with Irish "terrorism". Its director continued to report to the director of F Branch.
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==Structure==
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===F1===
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Responsible for investigating the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]], according to Stephen Dorril.<ref name="dorrill485">Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.</ref>
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*F1/O - Assistant Director in charge of monitoring the CPGB and other subversive organisations, i.e head of F1 section.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.591.</ref>
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*[[Charles Elwell]], served as F1/0 from April 1974 until his retirement in May 1979.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.669.</ref>
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*[[Bill Ruckstan]], section head, c.1981-83.<ref name="dorrill485"/>
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===F2===
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Responsible during the early [[1980s]] for investigating trade unions and the production of Box 500 reports, according to Stephen Dorril.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.</ref>Responsible for investigating the Communist Party, according to Nick Fielding and Mark Hollingsworth. This may reflect a confusion with F1.<ref>Mark Hollingsworth and Nick Fielding, Defending the Realm: Inside MI5 and the War on Terrorism, Andre Deutsch, 2003, p.34.</ref>
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According to Stephen Dorril, F2 worked closely with the [[Civil Contingencies Unit]] during strikes.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.7.</ref>
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*[[Roger Hollis]] Section head c. 1941,<ref>Chapman Pincher, ''Treachery: Betrayals, Blunders and Cover-Ups: Six Decades of espionage'', Mainstream Publishing, 2012, p.100.</ref> c. 1943<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.281.</ref>
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*[[Charles Elwell]] - Section head according to Hollingsworth and Fielding, who may have confused F2 with F1.<ref>Mark Hollingsworth and Nick Fielding, Defending the Realm: Inside MI5 and the War on Terrorism, Andre Deutsch, 2003, p.34.</ref>
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*[[John Deverell]] held F2 designation, presumably section head, C.October 1979.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.660.</ref>
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*[[Stella Rimington]], section head, c.1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.</ref>
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*[[David Ranson]] - Officer, c. 1972.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.8.</ref>
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*[[Annie Machon]] - 1991, later became a [[whistleblower]]
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====F2A====
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Responsible for monitoring the [[CPGB]].<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.274.</ref>
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*[[David Clarke]]-c.1943<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.278.</ref>
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====F2C====
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Engaged in studies of the Communist Party, which were often used as training for new officers.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.561.</ref> At some point it replaced F1A as the section designation for this activity. It was itself replaced by F1C.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.334.</ref>
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*[[Hugh Shillito]] c.1942.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.277.</ref>
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====F2N====
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Trade Unions<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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====F2R====
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The media, education, Members of Parliament.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*F2R/1 - Responsibilities c. 1984 included monitoring subversion in the peace movement.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.674.</ref>
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===F3===
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Terrorism, excluding Irish Terrorism.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*[[Patrick Walker]], section head, 1980.<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.690.</ref>
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*[[Alan Fernyhough]], section head, c.1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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===F4===
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Counter-subversion agent-running, according to [[Christopher Andrew]].<ref>Christopher Andrew, ''Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5'', Allen Lane, 2009, p.498.</ref>
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===F5===
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Irish "terrorism", (loyalist).<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*[[John Deverell]] c.1980.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.195.</ref>
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*[[Patrick Walker]] - section head, c.1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref> C.1983.<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.699.</ref>
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===FX===
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In the early 1980s, according to Stephen Dorril, FX controlled F4 and F6. Focussed on long-term infiltration of agents and informers.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*[[Tony Crassweller]], FX head, circa 1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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===F4===
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Responsible for Counter-subversion agent-running.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.498.</ref>
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Trade unions and [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] (CPGB).<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*[[Simon France]], section head, c.1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*[[Julia Pirie]] - Agent in the CPGB 1960s-70s.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/3275532/Julia-Pirie.html Julia Pirie], The Telegraph, 28 October 2008.</ref>
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===F6===
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Trotskyist and radical organisations.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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*[[Jim Clayphan]], section head, c.1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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===F7===
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Investigated Trotskyist, anarchist, feminist, pacifist, black power, nationalist and other radical groups. Also fascists.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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Among the organisations infiltrated by F7 were the Workers Revolutionary Party and the Socialist Workers Party.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.8.</ref>
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*[[Ray Whitby]], section head, c.1981-83.<ref>Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.</ref>
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===F8===
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Served as London headquarters for MI5's Belfast station after the winding up of the [[Irish Joint Section]] in 1984.<ref>Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.700.</ref>
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*G/02 (De Silva report cipher) - Head of the agent-running section, probably F8, February 1987.<ref name="DeSilvavol1Ch6">Sir Desmond de Silva, [http://www.patfinucanereview.org/report/volume01/chapter006/ Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson], Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.</ref>
  
 
==People==
 
==People==
 
===Officers===
 
===Officers===
 
*[[Cathy Massiter]]<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.558.</ref>
 
*[[Cathy Massiter]]<ref>Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.558.</ref>
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{{SMWDocs}}
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==Notes==
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==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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[[Category:Spooks]][[Category:MI5]]
 

Latest revision as of 22:55, 12 June 2017

Group.png MI5/F BranchRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
Formation1941
Parent organizationMI5
LeaderMI5/F_Branch/Director
TypeIntelligence agency.png intelligence agency
Interestscounter-subversion

History

In its earliest incarnation, F Branch was responsible for preventive intelligence in the MI5 organisation of 1916.[1]

A new F Division covering counter-subversion was established by Director General Sir David Petrie in 1941.[2]

In Dick White's 1953 re-organisation, F Branch had responsibility for counter-subversion at home, while E Branch was responsible for counter-subversion in the British Empire and Commonwealth.[3]

In 1976, Director General Michael Hanley established a separate FX branch to deal with Irish "terrorism". Its director continued to report to the director of F Branch.

Structure

F1

Responsible for investigating the Communist Party of Great Britain, according to Stephen Dorril.[4]

  • F1/O - Assistant Director in charge of monitoring the CPGB and other subversive organisations, i.e head of F1 section.[5]
  • Charles Elwell, served as F1/0 from April 1974 until his retirement in May 1979.[6]
  • Bill Ruckstan, section head, c.1981-83.[4]

F2

Responsible during the early 1980s for investigating trade unions and the production of Box 500 reports, according to Stephen Dorril.[7]Responsible for investigating the Communist Party, according to Nick Fielding and Mark Hollingsworth. This may reflect a confusion with F1.[8] According to Stephen Dorril, F2 worked closely with the Civil Contingencies Unit during strikes.[9]

F2A

Responsible for monitoring the CPGB.[16]

F2C

Engaged in studies of the Communist Party, which were often used as training for new officers.[18] At some point it replaced F1A as the section designation for this activity. It was itself replaced by F1C.[19]

F2N

Trade Unions[21]

F2R

The media, education, Members of Parliament.[22]

  • F2R/1 - Responsibilities c. 1984 included monitoring subversion in the peace movement.[23]

F3

Terrorism, excluding Irish Terrorism.[24]

F4

Counter-subversion agent-running, according to Christopher Andrew.[27]

F5

Irish "terrorism", (loyalist).[28]

FX

In the early 1980s, according to Stephen Dorril, FX controlled F4 and F6. Focussed on long-term infiltration of agents and informers.[32]

F4

Responsible for Counter-subversion agent-running.[34] Trade unions and Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB).[35]

F6

Trotskyist and radical organisations.[38]

F7

Investigated Trotskyist, anarchist, feminist, pacifist, black power, nationalist and other radical groups. Also fascists.[40] Among the organisations infiltrated by F7 were the Workers Revolutionary Party and the Socialist Workers Party.[41]

F8

Served as London headquarters for MI5's Belfast station after the winding up of the Irish Joint Section in 1984.[43]

  • G/02 (De Silva report cipher) - Head of the agent-running section, probably F8, February 1987.[44]

People

Officers

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References

  1. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.84.
  2. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.236.
  3. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327.
  4. ↑ a b Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
  5. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.591.
  6. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.669.
  7. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
  8. ↑ Mark Hollingsworth and Nick Fielding, Defending the Realm: Inside MI5 and the War on Terrorism, Andre Deutsch, 2003, p.34.
  9. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.7.
  10. ↑ Chapman Pincher, Treachery: Betrayals, Blunders and Cover-Ups: Six Decades of espionage, Mainstream Publishing, 2012, p.100.
  11. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.281.
  12. ↑ Mark Hollingsworth and Nick Fielding, Defending the Realm: Inside MI5 and the War on Terrorism, Andre Deutsch, 2003, p.34.
  13. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.660.
  14. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
  15. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.8.
  16. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.274.
  17. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.278.
  18. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.561.
  19. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.334.
  20. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.277.
  21. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  22. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  23. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.674.
  24. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  25. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.690.
  26. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  27. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.498.
  28. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  29. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.195.
  30. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  31. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.699.
  32. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  33. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  34. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.498.
  35. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  36. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  37. ↑ Julia Pirie, The Telegraph, 28 October 2008.
  38. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  39. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  40. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  41. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.8.
  42. ↑ Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.486.
  43. ↑ Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.700.
  44. ↑ Sir Desmond de Silva, Volume 1 - Chapter 6: The recruitment of Brian Nelson, Pat Finucane Review, 12 December 2012.
  45. ↑ Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.558.
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