MI5 chief's son died of blood poisoning

The son of the head of MI5 died alone in his home from a combination of sleeping tablets and alcohol, an inquest was told yesterday.

James Lander was found dead in his bed in September a few weeks before his father, Sir Stephen Lander, left his job as director general of Britain's Security Service.

In a statement to the inquest in St Albans, Sir Stephen, 56, said his son had started drinking heavily after the failure of a relationship and had lost his job as manager of a catering company two years ago.

Sir Stephen, head of MI5 for six years, had a "close relationship" with the 28-year-old and they spoke to each other every day. But he said his son suffered from "self-hate and was anxious and emotional".

A friend found James Lander dead when she visited his home, having not heard from him for some time. He had 254mg/100ml alcohol and 60mg of chloral hydrate sleeping tablets in his blood when he died. His GP, Roger Sage, said he had been suffering from "severe anxiety disorder exacerbated by alcoholism". He also had agoraphobia. The cause of death was given as drug and alcohol toxicity.

Edward Thomas, the coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "I am satisfied that there was no intention by James to take his own life. His death was due to the amount he had drunk combined with chloral hydrate."

Sir Stephen stepped down from his post on 8 October, 18 days after his son's death. He was succeeded by Eliza Manningham-Buller. The Home Office said Sir Stephen's departure had been planned for several months and had nothing to do with his son's death.