Former MI5 chief to take over as head of the Queen’s household

The Queen has appointed the former head of MI5 as Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in her royal household, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, will take up his new role on April 1, succeeding Earl Peel who is retiring after more than 14 years in the post.

Baron Parker served as director general of MI5 from April 2013 until last year and was a career intelligence officer having joined MI5 in 1983.

He hosted the Queen’s first visit to MI5’s headquarters in central London in February last year, when she praised the intelligence agency’s officers for the “tireless work you do to keep our country safe”.

Earl Peel, 73, delayed his retirement amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis while the search for his successor took place.

During his MI5 career Baron Parker led the intelligence agency’s response to the July 7 London terrorist attacks in 2005, and the following year his teams played the lead role in the disruption of al Qaida’s attempt to attack multiple airliners with bombs hidden in drinks bottles.

He was later promoted to deputy director general

of MI5 in 2007 before becoming head of the security service in 2013.

Baron Parker retired from the post in April last year.

The post of Lord Chamberlain, which pays around £90,000 a year, is a part-time one and includes chairing regular meetings of all heads of department in the royal household.

Andrew Parker will become Lord Chamberlain.