MI6, the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, and GCHQ, its signals intelligence and information security agency, along with several US intelligence agencies, are conducting internal reviews of all sensitive information previously shared with European partners, the Telegraph reported today.

This move comes after August Hanning, a former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), was arrested on charges of treason and espionage.

Former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, August Hanning. Photo: Welt

According to German officials, Hanning illegally collected numerous classified documents over the past 16 years and sold some to foreign entities. German security sources indicated that some information "came from partner intelligence agencies in other countries," raising concerns that UK and US data may have been compromised.

The incident also poses a risk to the identities of US and UK sources, including agents and field operatives.

The arrest of the former BND chief has rocked the Western intelligence community. Sources described it as a "major victory for external forces," with the potential to severely damage the Western intelligence information-sharing alliance.

According to the Telegraph, the involved parties are prioritizing the protection of sources who may face danger due to data leaks. It is unclear whether German officials informed their partners about the incident before announcing Hanning's arrest on 6/10.

MI6 headquarters in London, UK, March 2025. Photo: AP

BND head Martin Jaeger announced that the agency launched a large-scale internal investigation as soon as suspicions arose. Beyond the UK and US, it is likely that Germany's remaining partners will conduct similar reviews.

August Hanning, 80 years old, led the BND from 1998-2005, then became Germany's Deputy Interior Minister before transitioning to a private security consultant. After leaving office, he traveled to Russia at least seven times between 2015-2019, often staying in Moskva for just one day.

He was known for his firm stance on Russia during German national security debates. The former BND chief once warned that "Germany is being naive and must wake up to the reality of a potential war."

"Many people have not realized that we are in a state of conflict with Russia; this has been underestimated. People are avoiding the truth, Russia is in conflict with NATO, and of course, Germany is a part of that," Hanning said in a 2024 interview with the Telegraph.

Nguyen Tien (According to Telegraph, AP, Welt)