175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

  • Leading

  • 9 February 2026

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 0

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies?


Rory and Alastair are joined by Jeremy Fleming, formerly of GCHQ and MI5, to answer all this and more. 


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