Britain's former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) took up his new post as the head of MI6 on July 31despite opposition from some British lawmakers and intelligence experts after he was criticized over Iraq.

John Scarlett, nominated by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in May to head the MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service), helped draw up the government's 2002 dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, which included the claim that Iraq could deploy banned weapons within 45 minutes upon an order to do so, an allegation found to be based on shaky intelligence.

An independent inquiry into prewar Iraq intelligence criticized Scarlett for following the government's decision to join the Iraq war when presenting intelligence in the dossier.

The inquiry headed by Lord Butler ruled on July 14 that it was a "serious failing" the dossier had not contained warnings and caveats about intelligence known to the JIC, which coordinates the country's spying efforts.

However, the inquiry concluded that Scarlett should not be punished for "collective" failures that have not been his "personal responsibility".

Scarlett has worked for 30 years for the MI6, which is responsible for Britain's external security. His appointment to be the new boss of MI6 was criticized by some opponents as payback from Blair for services rendered in the run-up to the US-led war against Iraq.

Source: Xinhua