MI5 C Branch

C Branch is a defunct division of MI5.
==History==
C Branch was created in 1938, initially with only one officer, with responsibility for vetting candidates for sensitive Civil Service positions, and foreign-born candidates for commissions in the armed forces.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.134. C Division retained responsibility for vetting in MI5's reorganisation of 1941.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.237. In Dick White's 1953 reorganisation, C branch retained responsibility for protective security.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.327. In MI5's organisation as of 1994, C Branch was incorporated into D Branch.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.864.
===ICON exercise===
C Branch devised and controlled an exercise codenamed ICON, a simulation of a terrorist attack on Stansted Airport which took place on 10 April 1973. The police, armed services, ministers and officials all took part. According to Christopher Andrew, the Home Office Police Department subsequently took over responsibility for counter-terrorist exercises, but C Branch continued to play a central role.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.615.
==Organisation==
===Directors===
*H. I. Allen, c.1941.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.237.
*Roger Hollis, c.1950.Chapman Pincher, Treachery: Betrayals, Blunders and Cover-Ups: Six Decades of espionage, Mainstream Publishing, 2012, p.341.
*Martin Furnival Jones, c.1953.Richard Norton-Taylor, OBITUARY: SPYCATCHER GENERAL; Sir Martin Furnival Jones, The Guardian, 6 March 1997.
*Bill Magan c.1963Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.398.
*Michael Hanley, c.1965.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.536.
*David Horsley, c.1981-83.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
===C1===
Security policy in government.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
*Ian Hollands, section head, c.1981-83.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
===C2===
Vetting and security of government contractors.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
*John Snelling, section head, c.1981-83.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
===C3===
Vetting of government department staff, the police and armed forces.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
*Sir Graham Lake, Bt. Section head, c.1981-83.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
===C4===
Counter-sabotage section. Ran execrcises with the SAS and police. Drawing up contingency plans to deal with possible terrorist attacks.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
*Cecil Shipp, Section head, c.1971.Christopher Andrew, The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.609.
*Harold Magnay, section head, c.1981-83.Stephen Dorril, The Silent Conspiracy: Inside the Intelligence Services in the 1990s, Mandarin, 1994, p.485.
===Other officers===
*David SutherlandChristopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.613.
*Julian Faux, c.1971Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.607.
*Sandy Stuart, c.1972.Christopher Andrew, Defence of the Realm, The Authorized History of MI5, Allen Lane, 2009, p.612.
*Ronald Symonds
==Notes==
Category:SpooksCategory:MI5