Thaindian News

London, Nov 16 (IANS) Spies from British intelligence agency MI6 thwart terrorist attacks and foreign agents hundreds of times a year, according to Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Many spies have lost their lives in the battle to protect the country from terrorists, Hague was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“Many agents and sources risk their lives — some lose their lives — to give us the vital information to keep us safe. We have a duty to protect them,” he said.

“The reason that the agencies operate in secret is so that we can protect the lives and identities of those we rely on to carry out this dangerous work for us, and so that we do not reveal details of how they do it,” the foreign secretary said.

Defending the intelligence service, he said such agencies are vital assets that protect lives every day and make a critical contribution to safeguarding Britain’s national interests.

“Without our agencies, terrorist groups would have free rein to harm British citizens here and abroad. Properly used, secret intelligence saves both military and civilian lives, protects our economy, stops serious crime and makes a critical contribution to our diplomatic and military success,” he was quoted as saying.

Hague said he faces moral dilemmas when called upon to sanction intelligence operations.

“As foreign secretary, I see operational proposals from the agencies every day, amounting to hundreds every year. They are often not easy decisions and I do not approve them all,” he said.