The head of Britain’s foreign intelligence service MI6 on Friday apologised for the agency’s historic treatment of homosexuals, calling it “wrong, unjust and discriminatory”.
MI6 barred homosexuals from serving in the intelligence agencies until 1991 on security grounds, claiming they were susceptible to blackmail.
Agency chief Richard Moore, known as “C”, apologised in a video statement on Twitter, calling the policy “misguided”.
“Committed, talented, public-spirited people had their careers and lives blighted because it was argued that being LGBT+ was incompatible with being an intelligence professional,” he said.
“Because of this policy, other loyal and patriotic people had their dreams of serving their country in MI6 shattered.
“This was wrong, unjust and discriminatory.
“Today, I apologise on behalf of MI6 for the way our LGBT+ colleagues and fellow citizens were treated and express my regret to those whose lives were affected.”
The apology follows the Ministry of Defence’s announcement on Tuesday that it would allow former military members dismissed because of their sexuality to reclaim lost medals.
