Brexit is precisely what Vladimir Putin wants to see
When it comes to security the UK's spy chief has warned Europe must become more united, not less, writes Sky's Alistair Bunkall.
Monday 14 May 2018 13:25, UK
It's only mid-May but already this year all three of the UK's intelligence chiefs have spoken in Germany - that's no coincidence.
It is as much to do with geography as it is politics.
Germany doesn't just physically sit at the heart of Europe (and close to Russia) but politically it is hugely influential in the EU.
:: MI5 boss accuses Russia of 'criminal thuggery'
It is as good a venue as any to speak out about the value of partnerships against shared threats.
In 2018, the co-operation between the continent's intelligence agencies is greater and closer than even just a few years ago.
The threat and successes of Islamic State have forced that; the increasing aggression from Russia has made it essential.
Russia's motive behind the Salisbury poisoning is still unknown, but it is my belief that Vladimir Putin wanted to test the unity of Britain's international partnerships - UK/US, UK/EU, UK/NATO.
The blizzard of misinformation and confusion after the events in Salisbury was designed to create doubt and cast aspersions on previously trusted institutions like government, intelligence agencies and the media.
It didn't work.
Prime Minister Theresa May persuaded allies to get behind the UK and expel Russian diplomats in solidarity - this diplomatic success was in large part down to a considerable amount of work behind the scenes by MI5 and MI6, convincing their partners that Britain's intelligence assessment was accurate.
Brexit is a division of Europe though, at least politically if not also economically.
The slow departure of the UK from the EU is complicated, messy and at times bad-tempered - it is precisely what Putin wants to see.
As the head of MI5 Andrew Parker made clear in his speech, he "doesn't do politics" - but he and his counterparts at MI6 and GCHQ are on the offensive to ensure that security cooperation continues unaffected by Brexit.
Islamic State has lost much of its territory in Iraq and Syria but it hasn't been defeated. It still poses a threat to the UK and Europe.
This point was proven only on Saturday night when a Chechen-born Frenchman killed one and injured four other people in Paris, in the name of Islamic State.
IS is "seeking to regroup", Mr Parker said, as Europe faces an "intense, unrelenting and multi-dimensional terrorist threat".
When it comes to security, the continent must become more united, not less.