Wife blows MI6 chief’s cover

The private life of Britain's new spy chief was laid bare on the internet after his wife published dozens of family photographs and messages on Facebook.

Officials last night removed details of Sir John Sawers and his family from his wife's social networking page after they were alerted to the potential lapse in security by a national newspaper. Sir John, who is due to take over as the new head of MI6 in November, featured in pictures with his family and playing frisbee on holiday.

Lady Shelley Sawers' page revealed details about where the couple live, work and holiday, as well as who their friends are.

The Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey last night claimed the episode "verged on the reckless".