How I Exposed Government Secrets & Went On The Run | Minutes With | @LADbible

Minutes With has been nominated for Best Social Series at the New Voice Awards.

In this week's episode of Minutes With, we sat down with Annie Machon, a former MI5 spy and intelligence officer who acted as a whistleblower, exposing government secrets and going on the run. Annie discusses her recruitment into MI5, her postings working on international terrorism and surveillance, and the series of events that led her to decide to expose government intel.

#LADbible #UNILAD

[LADbible]

With thanks to Annie for sharing her story!

[freemanpal]

Hi to the MI5 agent reading these comments 👋

[gremsta]

When exposing a crime is being treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals

[nimblefingers]

What a wonderfully moral woman. This is the type of person we need in government; honourable, honest, and emotionally intelligent. Great woman!

[anthonybranco]

This is a good woman. We need more people like this in the police both local and federal, military and the intelligence agencies.

[dandeeteeyem]

Against all odds, not for money or fame, for no meaningful change to be made after your efforts... you still chose to do the right thing. People like you, are heroes to me. ❤

[froogsleegs]

Annie saying at the end that whistleblowing cost her everything but she feels nothing has truly changed, and may even be worse than before, is a genuinely haunting statement.

"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face- for ever."

[lukasvisagie]

To sacrifice your career and normal life for the sake of your beliefs, "doing the right thing", must have taken a lot of courage and a very strong conviction. I admire you and David for that. I hope things are better for you now!

[geeunit]

I'd love to see a series on whistleblowers with Annie. Her story and the way she tells it is so compelling.

[clipped]

I feel so bad for her. Imagine choosing to risk your career, love life for not much to change that’s a sickening thought. Bless her ❤️

[mr.shutterz]

This is super interesting and Annie displays a huge amount of bravery not only then but also now to talk about this. Especially admitting that it hasn’t necessarily changed much, but at the very least she can live with herself knowing she tried to make a change to the system that’s in place 👍

[Tracey-zrdo]

I feel for Annie. Why is it that good people with a moral compass who bravely seek to speak the truth in order to keep the masses informed, aware and able to be protected are the very ones who are then hunted, harrassed, stalked, bullied and targeted from the top, to the point of losing everything you have. I'm out of money, through no fault of my own and will now lose my house. I've had a "series of unfortunate events" as the film of the same title portrays. So many awful things, intentional underhand things have been thrust not just at me but at my family over the years. All for being honest! Something is truly wrong when innocent people are targeted by excuses for people who have access to your life, when they are not fit to! Stay safe Annie. Thank you for the insight. God bless you and your family 👍

[AimeeAimee]

Annie is correct, we are being watched 24/7, even if our record is clean.

[Big_Old_Bondy]

I saw Annie give a talk at a conference for cannabis reform in Bristol back in 2013. She was facinating to listen to. I remember a point she made about how the war on drugs is directly funding terrorism, and how the government are completely aware of this. 'Deliberately unjoined thinking'.

[tosti]

Not only she's extremely eloquent telling a unique story, but her tone has a soothing effect on me. One of my favourites interviews to date.

[Albert-Plays-Roblox]

This is why, despite all the fascination around secret agencies, and despite my own personal qualifications, I could never work in such an environment. I remember low level intelligence jobs recruiters coming to the campus and making it all appear fantastic, but I ran away from them at full speed. The injustices would make my blood boil and I would surely crash.

[stephaniejooste]

Absolute respect for both of you for standing up for what was right!

[garyrobertshaw]

What a beautiful well spoken educated woman she is. Fantastic insight into how our intelligence servics work. Good luck lady ❤

[yellowone]

I remember the Bishopsgate bombing. I was sitting in my living room in Archway, North London, when I felt the shock-wave from the blast shake the window!

[ericpenrose]

So now I've just realised how UK Govt - and no doubt Keir Starmer - are so easy helping US govt out with Assange - we're becoming particularly bad with not just the intel whistleblowers but the press 14 years prison per charge of prison!!?. Chilling.
But the heroic actions like her and David's need to be kept in mind.