Brian Stewart (MI6)

Brian Stewart reportedly confirmed to the New Yorker that he was a senior MI6 officer in the running to become chief of the service in the 1970s. He is the father of MP Rory Stewart.Jon Swaine,Rory Stewart concedes career 'gives appearance' that he worked for MI6, telegraph.co.uk, 8 November 2010.
According to National Geographic Adventure Magazine, "Brian Stewart, one of a long line of self-sufficient Scottish Highlanders, fought on the beaches of Normandy before becoming deeply involved in counterinsurgency operations against guerrillas fighting the British colonial government of what is now Malaysia."Paul Kvinta, Can Rory Stewart Fix Afghanistan?, National Geographic Adventure Magazine, June 2007.
Stewart was born in 1922. He was educated at Oxford before before joining the Black Watch, serving in Europe and the Far East from 1942 to 1945. He joined the Malayan Civil Service in 1946, specialising in Chinese Affairs. In 1957, he joined the Diplomatic Service.Ireland and the Falklands War, 1982; Witness Seminar, Centre for Contemporary History, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013.Archive, 2006-2013, Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013.
Stewart's son Rory reportedly told the New Yorker that his father was "involved in British overseas intelligence for 20 years, and reached a high rank".Jon Swaine,Rory Stewart concedes career 'gives appearance' that he worked for MI6, telegraph.co.uk, 8 November 2010. This might be interpreted as suggesting that his diplomatic career between 1957 and 1978 was cover for service in MI6.
His early postings included Rangoon, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur.Ireland and the Falklands War, 1982; Witness Seminar, Centre for Contemporary History, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013.Archive, 2006-2013, Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013.
In 1967-68, Stewart was the sole British official in Hanoi as Consul-General.Archive, 2006-2013, Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013. The same post was held by MI6 officers John Colvin in 1966 and Daphne Park in 1969.Desmond Seward, John Colvin, 'The Guardian, 15 October 2003.Baroness Park of Monmouth, telegraph.co.uk, 25 March 2010.
From 1968 to 1972, he was Secretary of the Joint Intelligence Committee in the Cabinet Office.Ireland and the Falklands War, 1982; Witness Seminar, Centre for Contemporary History, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013. He was a counsellor in Hong Kong from 1972 to 1974.Archive, 2006-2013, Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013.
During the 1970s, Stewart was reportedly in the running to head MI6.Jon Swaine,Rory Stewart concedes career 'gives appearance' that he worked for MI6, telegraph.co.uk, 8 November 2010. He retired in 1978.Ireland and the Falklands War, 1982; Witness Seminar, Centre for Contemporary History, Trinity College Dublin, accessed 27 May 2013.
==Publications==
*Smashing Terrorism in Malaya, Singapore, 2004.
==Connnections==
*Sally Stewart - Wife.
*Rory Stewart - Son.
==External resources==
*NameBase STEWART BRIAN THOMAS WEBSTER
==Notes==
Stewart, BrianStewart, BrianStewart, Brian