`KGB' takes over MI5 phone service
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Would-be spies who replied to an overt advert for covert agents were surprised to be greeted at the other end of a phoneline yesterday by a message from Colonel Botch saying "MI5 are crap. This is the KGB".
It was all part of an elaborate joke believed to have been staged by someone calling in and electronically changing the message.
Security service advertisements this week handled by the recruitment agents Austin Knight attracted 20,000 calls. By noon yesterday the answering machine message was changed to say "due to the unprecedented response we cannot take anymore telephone requests" and asking applicants to send in CVs by post.
However, yesterday the message had been mysteriously altered to one from the good colonel frankly explaining the switch of power.
A Home Office spokeswoman said last night: "Clearly there is a fault on the line ... "
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments