MI6 chief targets Russia in rare speech

The Leader of the UK's MI6 intelligence service will warn Russia "not to underestimate our capabilities" in a rare speech later.

Alex Younger will describe how MI6 exposed the perpetrators of the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury.

He will warn that Britain's adversaries view themselves as being in a state of "perpetual confrontation" with the UK.

And he will talk of the need for "fourth-generation espionage", fusing human skills with technical innovation.

At a speech at St Andrews University Mr Younger will encourage students to consider joining MI6, saying tackling modern adversaries who use new technology to probe UK institutions and defences will require "a mindset that mobilises diversity and empowers the young".