AG百家乐在线官网

After 66 years, GCHQ's secret London base unmasked to the public

Since 1953, Palmer Street was the London HQ for the government's cyber security listening post GCHQ but it was secret.

By Alistair Bunkall, defence and security correspondent聽

Friday 5 April 2019 07:31, UK

Undated handout photo issued by GCHQ of its former offices in Palmer street, Westminster, London where, unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked to protect national security since 1953.
Image: The covert office played a key role in keeping the capital safe during the 2012 Olympics
Why you can trust Sky News

For the last 66 years, millions of people will have walked past an unremarkable building in central London, unaware that it was a secret home to one of the UK's intelligence agencies.

Since 1953, Palmer Street, tucked behind St James's Park tube station, was the London HQ for the government's cyber security listening post GCHQ.

The covert Westminster office - sandwiched between a Starbucks and a pub - played a key role in keeping the capital safe during the 2012 Olympics and has worked closely with MI6 and MI5 during terror attacks on the UK.

Palmer Street enabled GCHQ officers and analysts to brief ministers in Westminster all the while remaining a closely guarded secret for more than half a century.

The revelation is only possible now that GCHQ has moved out of the building to a new location in London.

Undated handout photo issued by GCHQ of its former offices in Palmer street, Westminster, London where, unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked to protect national security since 1953.
Image: The revelation is only possible because GCHQ has moved out of the building
The intelligence and security services headquarters are based in Cheltenham. Pic: GCHQ
Image: This year marks GCHQ's centenary. Pic: GCHQ

Commenting on the move, the current director of GCHQ, Jeremy Fleming, said: "As we depart our Palmer Street site after 66 years, we look back on a history full of amazing intelligence, world-leading innovation, and the ingenious people who passed through those secret doors.

"Then, as now, it's a history defined by the belief that with the right mix of minds, anything is possible."

More on Gchq

Related Topics:

GCHQ, or the Government Code & Cypher School (GC&CS) as it was known at the time, was established on 1 November 1919 as a peacetime cryptanalytic unit made up from staff from the Admiralty's Room 40 and the War Office's MI1(b).

Undated handout photo issued by GCHQ of its former offices in Palmer street, Westminster, London where, unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked to protect national security since 1953.
Image: Unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked in Palmer Street since 1953
Undated handout photo issued by GCHQ of its former offices in Palmer street, Westminster, London where, unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked to protect national security since 1953.
Image: Palmer Street is tucked behind St James's Park tube station in Westminster

During WWII, GCHQ staff moved to Bletchley Park where they decrypted German messages, most famously by breaking Enigma-encrypted communications, making a significant contribution to the Allied victory.

In the early 1950s, GCHQ moved its headquarters from the London area of Eastcote to Cheltenham, meaning a suitable central London location was needed for the handling of secret paperwork and as a regular base for the director. After a substantial search, the Ministry of Works provided a newly-built, government leased building on Palmer Street. GCHQ moved into their new secret London home in spring 1953.

Undated handout photo issued by GCHQ of its former offices in Palmer street, Westminster, London where, unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked to protect national security since 1953.
Image: GCHQ has left Palmer Street for a new London location
Undated handout photo issued by GCHQ of its former offices in Palmer street, Westminster, London where, unknown to the public, intelligence officers have worked to protect national security since 1953.
Image: Palmer Street enabled GCHQ officers and analysts to brief ministers in Westminster

This year marks GCHQ's centenary which is being celebrated with a series of events throughout the year, including a visit by the Queen to Watergate House, the birthplace of the agency.

GCHQ is also opening a new hub in Manchester to extend its UK network. This will be in addition to its headquarters in Cheltenham and offices in Bude, Scarborough, Lincolnshire and Harrogate.

The National Cyber Security Centre is a partner organisation and based in Victoria, London.

Related Topics