MI5/C Branch

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Group.png MI5/C BranchRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
Formation1938
Extinction1994
Parent organizationMI5
LeaderMI5/C_Branch/Director
TypeIntelligence agency.png intelligence agency
InterestsUK Civil Service
A now defunct division of MI5, incorporated into D Branch in 1994.

C Branch was a division of MI5 until 1994.

History

C Branch was created in 1938, initially with only one officer, with responsibility for vetting candidates for sensitive Civil Service positions, and foreign-born candidates for commissions in the armed forces.[1] C Division retained responsibility for vetting in MI5's re-organisation of 1941.[2] In Dick White's 1953 re-organisation, C branch retained responsibility for protective security.[3] In Mi5's organisation as of 1994, C Branch was incorporated into D Branch.[4]

ICON exercise

C Branch devised and controlled an exercise codenamed ICON, a simulation of a terrorist attack on Stansted Airport which took place on 10 April 1973. The police, armed services, minsters and officials all took part. According to Christopher Andrew, ther Home Office Police Department subsequently took over responsibilty for counter-terrorist exercises, but C Branch continued to play a central role.[5]

Directors

Other officers

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References

  1. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.134.
  2. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.237.
  3. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327.
  4. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.864.
  5. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.615.
  6. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.237.
  7. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.536.
  8. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.613.
  9. Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.607.