Jeremy Fleming, former Deputy Director General of MI5, is to succeed Robert Hannigan as Director of GCHQ, the Cheltenham based electronic intelligence gathering base.

Mr Fleming (pictured), who has been deputy at MI5 since 2013, will take over at GCHQ at Easter and lead a 6,000 strong team at the Cheltenham intelligence centre.

Announcing the appointment, the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "Jeremy Fleming is a dedicated public servant whose work over two decades in the intelligence services has helped to keep our country safe.

"I congratulate Jeremy on his appointment as Director of GCHQ at an important time for the service. I know that he will continue the excellent work of Robert Hannigan in leading this outstanding organisation, when the skill and ingenuity of the UK intelligence community are critical to defending Britain from cyber attacks, terror plots and other activities that threaten us and our allies."

Mr Fleming said: "It is a great privilege to be asked to lead GCHQ. The organisation has a distinguished past and an increasingly important role to play in keeping Britain safe in the digital age.

"From managing cyber risks posed by nation states to preventing terror attacks, keeping our children safe online and supporting our Armed Forces, the exceptional men and women of GCHQ operate on the new frontline of global challenges."

Mr Fleming joined government from the private sector in 1993. He is a career MI5 officer with significant experience of national security and intelligence work, including international and Northern Ireland counter-terrorism, counter-espionage, cyber, and protective security.

He has played a lead role in shaping the organisation to disrupt the changing face of the threat from terrorist groups and hostile countries.

Last week GCHQ dismissed as utterly ridiculous claims in the USA that it had helped former President Barack Obama wiretap Donald Trump's HQ during the 2016 Presidential election.

Pictures: GCHQ and Crown Copyright