UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband view a wind turbine under construction in Wales. Getty Images
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband view a wind turbine under construction in Wales. Getty Images
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband view a wind turbine under construction in Wales. Getty Images
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband view a wind turbine under construction in Wales. Getty Images

Ex-MI6 boss warns UK net zero push is 'risk to national security'


Paul Carey
  • English
  • Arabic

A former head of British intelligence has criticised the UK government’s climate change policies, warning that ideology was being put ahead of national security.

Sir Richard Dearlove, who led MI6 from 1999 to 2004, said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s drive to achieve net zero carbon emissions was “crazy”, “irrational” and “seriously problematic”.

Mr Miliband has insisted the push to achieve net zero represents the “economic opportunity of our time”, as the UK pursues its mission to become a clean energy superpower by 2030.

In March, he restarted climate talks with China during a visit to Beijing in which the two countries agreed to co-operate on green ambitions such as reducing climate-warming emissions. The UK hopes to work with China on emerging technology, including carbon capture and storage, while sharing its expertise on phasing out the use of coal.

Sir Richard Dearlove has warned the drive to net zero risks national security due to the reliance on Chinese technology. Reuters
Sir Richard Dearlove has warned the drive to net zero risks national security due to the reliance on Chinese technology. Reuters

Mr Dearlove told The i Paper that he was not being alarmist, but had concerns over the risks of relying on Chinese technology such as chips used in electric cars and solar panels. It has been suggested that China would be able to include a “kill switch” in such devices to corrupt them or make them inoperable.

He supports the Coalition for Secure Technology, which campaigns to raise awareness of the risks associated with China’s growing technological dominance. He took part in briefing with MPs this month to outline the potential threats to the UK, such as traffic lights being switched off or cars immobilised.

He said he believes Mr Miliband is aware of the dangers, but thinks tackling climate change is a greater concern. “Therefore we’re going to pursue that to the exclusion of all other issues,” Mr Dearlove said.

Moving to renewables such as solar power is key to the UK government's plan to become a clean energy superpower. Getty Images
Moving to renewables such as solar power is key to the UK government's plan to become a clean energy superpower. Getty Images

The solution, he believes, is boosting manufacturing in countries the UK trusts. “The problem is that the Chinese have created a system of dependencies by massively subsidising these areas of their economy so that they hugely undercut the market competitors out of business,” he said.

The UK has committed to delivering most of the country's energy through green sources by the end of the decade, which will require a major increase in offshore and onshore wind power, solar panels and the national grid.

Mr Miliband bowed to pressure and is to ban the UK’s national energy company from investing in projects linked to China, over claims of forced labour. A UK government spokesman said it would “never let anything get in the way of our national security”.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:

Ajax 2-3 Tottenham

Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate

Final: June 1, Madrid

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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

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Specs

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Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

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- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
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SPEC%20SHEET
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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50-man Royal Rumble

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WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

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3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
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5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40    
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45   
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57           
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58            
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59       

BRAZIL%20SQUAD
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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

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Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

The biog

Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.

His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.

“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.

"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”

Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.

He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking. 

Updated: May 23, 2025, 10:36 AM