Former MI5 chief's book given approval given approval to go ahead

The Government "regretfully" allowed former MI5 head Dame Stella Rimington to publish her memoirs yesterday.

Despite fierce opposition from Whitehall, ministers decided they could no longer resist publication of the book Open Secret after Dame Stella agreed to make certain changes to the text.

Tony Blair, Home Secretary David Blunkett and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw made the decision that is believed to have been conveyed to Dame Stella by her successor Sir Stephen Lander.

The Home Office said yesterday: "The Government insisted on a number of changes on national security grounds, to which she agreed. The Government regrets and disapproves of the decision to publish the book but nevertheless the concerns have been answered."

"She was informed today that the Government would not resist publication of the book. She had submitted the manuscript for clearance back in February 2000 and it has received long and careful consideration in Whitehall."

A spokeswoman for Random House, which is expected to publish the memoirs this autumn, said they were "delighted" to get formal authorisation.

Dame Stella, 65, who became the first head of MI5 to have her identity revealed in 1992, was heavily criticised for her decision to publish the book for which she is believed to have received a £125,000 advance.

But she said she had been fortunate to be in "a central position during a time of great change in the security scene", insisting she wanted to explain her role as a woman in a man's world at the service

She threatened to invoke the Human Rights Act, enshrining the right to freedom of expression, if the Government tried to block the book.