May's Deal 'Threatens' National Security: Ex-Spy Chief

The Brexit agreement reached between the British government and the EU threatens the country's national security, a former spy chief said.



In a letter addressed to Conservative association, Sir Richard Dearlove, former chief of British intelligence service MI6, calls on the association to ensure Tory MPs vote against the deal, according to a report by Sky News.



"Please ensure that your MP does not vote for this bad agreement," said the letter written by Dearlove and former Chief of the Defense staff Lord Guthrie.



It claimed British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal would surrender the U.K.'s forces and intelligence services to EU control.



The deal would also damage the U.K.'s relationship with NATO, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the duo claimed in the letter.



"The first duty of the state, above trade, is the security of its citizens," it said.



"The withdrawal agreement abrogates this fundamental contract and would place control of aspects of our national security in foreign hands," it added.



A House of Commons vote on the withdrawal agreement reached by May and EU officials is set for next Tuesday.



The possibility of passage is low, as the opposition parties and the government's de facto partner the DUP have already said they would vote no.



This week the government has been defeated in two key Brexit-related votes, as around 20 Tory MPs cast votes against the government.



The U.K. is set to leave the European club on March 29, ending the country's more than 40-year membership as the result of a landmark 2016 referendum. -