MI6 Concerned With Exposed Intel After German Spy Chief's Arrest

British intelligence agencies are examining whether secrets exchanged with Germany could have exposed their agents and informants after the arrest of former German foreign intelligence chief August Hanning.

The investigation centers on an alleged arrangement under which a senior intelligence official supplied Hanning with classified material for payment over 16 years.

Both men were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of espionage and treason.

The immediate concern for Britain is the safety of people whose identities or activities might be traced through information passed to Germany, according to The Telegraph.

British Agencies Assess Source Risks

MI6 and GCHQ, alongside several U.S. agencies, are believed to be reviewing sensitive intelligence supplied to European allies over the period covered by the allegations.

The Telegraph reported that protecting potentially exposed sources was the central task.

German security sources said material accessible to the suspects included intelligence supplied by foreign partners.

That leaves British and U.S. agencies assessing whether their contributions could have revealed personnel or informants operating in the field.

The extent of any exposure remains unclear.

Germany is understood to have alerted its counterparts before the arrests, although the timing of that notification remains unclear.

Prosecutors Describe Paid Document Transfers

German federal prosecutors suspect that Manfred D, a senior official whose full name has not been disclosed, supplied Hanning with about 2,000 documents.

According to prosecutors, the two agreed in spring 2010 that Manfred D would regularly provide valuable BND intelligence in exchange for money.

Hanning allegedly drew on the material for his private consulting business.

Manfred D had previously served as Hanning’s chief of staff at the BND and accompanied him to the interior ministry.

From March 2012 until March this year, he held the chief-of-staff position under several BND presidents.

The position gave him broad access to intelligence and influence over which assessments reached the agency’s leadership.

“On one occasion, Hanning used classified intelligence provided by Manfred D to draft an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service,” prosecutors said.

Officials have not established whether that analysis reached its intended recipient.

Der Spiegel reported that it had been prepared for Azerbaijan’s intelligence service.

German media said the documents included information about Iran’s nuclear program, Russia’s military and intelligence originating from foreign partners.

Intelligence Partnership Faces Scrutiny

Hanning led the BND for six years before leaving in November 2005.

Current BND president Martin Jäger said the agency had “initiated comprehensive internal investigations at an early stage and without delay. These have confirmed the suspicion.”

Former MI6 officer Matthew Dunn said British agencies would examine their exchanges with Germany and assess possible risks to operations and personnel.

He nevertheless expected MI6 and the BND to work together on the investigation.

Dunn also noted that intelligence exchanges routinely include safeguards, such as removing identifying details about sources.