'Russia and Iran also causing problems'

A NEW era of threats to Britain is also coming from Russia and Iran, MI5’s Director General warned.

- By Michael Knowles

Sir Ken McCallum said his service had foiled 20 potential assassination plots ordered by Iran in the past year alone.

And he told how Moscow’s intelligence agencies are “picking up what they can online” and trying to recruit criminals to carry out arson, kidnaps and sabotage.

GRU and FSB approach them on social media, send instructions on encrypted messaging apps and offer payments using cryptocurrencies, he said.