The government has denied reports of a rift with its intelligence chief over Iraq...
Yet as Tony's government continues to deal with the fallout from its use of intelligence in the lead up to war, it has been suggested that the head of MI6 could be retiring due to tension with Downing Street...
Sir Richard Dearlove, will stand down in August 2004, having completed five years in the post known as 'C'.
The Foreign Office confirmed the departure, but said it was normal practice for MI6 chiefs to spend about five years in the position...
It is government policy not to discuss MI6 internal operations, and a successor for Sir Dearlove has yet to be announced...but it's an interesting statement from Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell.. that there was "considerable tension" between Downing Street and the intelligence agencies...but added that it "dates back long before the present controversy" over Iraq.
"In order to re-establish a proper relationship it is almost certainly necessary for the head of MI6 to go," he said.
"Sir Richard Dearlove, who has been a distinguished public servant, is taking the honourable way out."